You have all heard the story about the three types of people in the world; those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those that wonder what in the world is happening? I have always considered myself to be in the category of making things happen. However, recently my head is spinning over the state budget crisis in wonderment. What in the world is going to happen? Undoubtedly, over the years I have spent too much time just watching the political scene and now the programs and services I have spent my career promoting will suffer.
We all have those things we put off doing because they do not come naturally to us. Getting involved politically happens to fall into this category for me. Yes, I fax letters to my representatives – but I usually wait to do this until it appears that something catastrophic is about to happen.
Over the past year I have realized how irresponsible my lack of involvement has been. I have not educated my representatives, nor my community, about the value of our treasured community college system nearly enough. Nor have I been able to clearly validate the difference the community college experience makes for our students. I have relied on some uplifting human interest and anecdotal stories to get my points across. But that does not do much when financial decisions are being made. And now, I am fearful that the core structure of the system is eroding like grains of sand disappearing into the ocean.
What happened to this innovative notion of providing access to all? And what about career re-training and life-long learning? Increased fees, fewer class sections, and a reduction in outreach and support services will inevitably shrink the number of individuals who see college as an option. And this breaks my heart because my personal memories of being a young and naïve 17-year-old entering Long Beach City College still remain with me. No one in my immediate family had ever gone to college and if I dropped out it would have been no big deal. I cannot imagine how different my life would be now without the support and encouragement I received from some wonderful teachers and advisors in those early years. I am just one of millions who share this story in the State of California.
This issue is dedicated entirely to providing some excellent information, strategies, and perceptions to help us better understand and become more influential in the political decision-making processes. Among the articles, you will find steps to take to improve your effectiveness with legislative representatives and to be armed with facts and figures about the nature and scope of our system and its successes. You will find a primer on the status of the budget and hear from students on their experience with Lobby Day. There is an overview of governance issues within the California community colleges and an individual perspective on becoming a local school board member. So, now it is time for me to Get Political. And you too!
As we conclude this academic year, I wish to salute Dr. Nancy Knight, our CSSO leader and president of CCCCSSAA. She has labored heroically throughout the year to increase communication, build coalitions, and prioritize issues statewide to insure a strong, unified voice representing student services. Hats off to you, Nancy!
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