Blog#8

I thought last class section was interesting in the topics we discussed. I liked learning more about the various clubs on campus. I remember seeing some of them on campus during transfer orientation day and remember actually signing up for the track club (mostly for the free t-shirt and water bottle, but also I was running every day back then).  After tearing my knee again, I had to put the brakes on my running and the CI track club. The Kayaking sounds awesome through the waterfront club, and I have already gotten more information on it. I would also be interested in joining a math club down the line to meet others who may be interested in teaching math as well. Chick fil-a vs. Principal of Ventura High was interesting to me because of all the debate it stirred up. I saw many letters to the editor in the newspaper defending both sides, but mostly criticizing the principal. The criticism is fair in my opinion because in essence she is saying Chick fil-a may  discriminate and disapproves of same sex marraige, and here she is discriminating on who can sell food at her school on the basis of their personal beliefs. Had she have just kicked them out for “sneaking” in through the vendor approval process by going in through the boosters, and not telling the media that Chick fil-a is an anti gay rights company and the school does not do business with discriminatory companies then this would have not riled up so many people. For the record Chick fil-a in Ventura has publicly stated that they do not take a stand on gay rights issues and that is only a personal opinion of the companies founder.

The homeless articles were interesting and I’m glad we are spending a week learning more about how difficult it must be to come from a homeless or very unstable living condition and still make it to college and actually succeed in college. There are grants and waivers available for the poor and homeless to register and attend classes but to live on campus is very expensive and is not an option for most of the people in these categories.  I thought Howard and Levine brought up very relevant issues such as the fact that many of the poor students have a “sense of living in two worlds”. The home life for these kids is completely different than the higher educational lifestyle of college. Author Ronald Hallett  discusses  many possible solutions to help in this issue, such as establishing “safe spaces” where potential college students can receive the proper guidance to overcome barriers preventing them from entering higher education. In a study he did with two other associates he found that all the participants in his study had college aspirations, yet very few were able to navigate through the college admission applications. I know I will help my kids with the college application process, but many homeless or mobile students do not have the necessary help it takes to make the transition to higher education. And what an awesome story about Joshua Williams! It sure makes me feel very grateful for what I have.