Special Multicultural Issue Inside
Since 1949
Volume CXVII, edition 5
March 25, 2009
Dean Fox Retires by Ramiro Gudino Rampage Reporter
Students from across California protest against proposed budget cuts to education.
Photo by Brandon Sisk
Stopping Budget Cuts ASG marches in Sacramento to protest cuts in education by Mark Smith Rampage Reporter Nearly 6,000 college students, mostly from community colleges across California gathered in Sacramento on Monday, March 16, to take part in the “March in March”, a large-scale demonstration in protest of proposed budget cuts to education. The event, which consisted of a one and a half mile march from Raley Field to the state capitol building where over 20 speakers delivered facts and opinions about the future of education in California, was organized by the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and took a lot of planning. They weren’t the only ones that put in hard work. 108 students from Fresno City College, Willow International Center, and Reedley College arrived at FCC’s “S” parking lot at five in the morning to load onto four busses to take part in this event. Following a lengthy process of passing out every student’s group shirt and
$20 allocation for food on the trip, the busses left at around six in the morning for Sacramento. Upon arrival in the Raley Field parking lot, students were met by a growing throng of their peers from across California cheering, chanting, and passing out signs. One student, Anna Moreno, a teaching major from Cuesta college near San Luis Obispo, was excited by the congregation. “This is amazing” she said, “I’ve never seen students organize like this before. It’s especially satisfying to know that our generation can still gather in person, instead of relying on social networking websites.” After around 20 minutes of getting everyone prepared by practicing chants over a megaphone and gathering students in a group to march, the event truly began. From about 10 to 11, this massive herd of college students and advisors marched from Raley Field to the capitol steps, chanting such mottos as: “bail out schools!” and “they say cut back, we say fight back!”, among others. Police lined the city streets as passers-by
honked their support from cars or waved and took pictures. As students came closer to the capitol, it became apparent that positive vibes and noisy protests were to be the themes of the day. Thousands of students crowded the capitol steps, dancing to bongo drums and whistles, chanting in huge groups, and waving their signs at the office windows above. Despite the large numbers, no incidents of violence or vandalism were reported, which can often happen with large protest-type gatherings. While the speakers for the event, which ranged from the president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges Richael Young to assembly members from various districts prepared to deliver their speeches, the Fresno City Rampage, as well as members of Fresno City College’s ASG, were given the exclusive opportunity to enter the state capitol and hold interview sessions with local representatives. The three members who
agreed to meet with this group were Assembly Members Mike Villines and Juan Arambula, as well as state senator Dave Cogdill. Unfortunately, due to woman of the year ceremonies taking place in the government’s session of the day, the three representatives were unable to meet and instead directed members of their staff to listen to the group’s concerns and take questions. Kristen Burdett, legislative director for Mike Villines, allowed the Rampage to record her statements, unlike the representatives for Arambula and Cogdill who preferred to keep their statements off the record. According to Burdett, the state’s LAO, or legislative analyst’s office, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing fiscal policy advice, came out with a report stating that California’s budget will again have a deficit, somewhere around 8 billion dollars. She said that this is mostly because of the continuing economic decline. See ‘Economy’ page 3
Robert Fox, the Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Services, is retiring on Tuesday, March 31 after 29 years at Fresno City College. Fox supervises Counseling, Financial Aid, Health Services, Student Government amongst other student related programs and services. Additionally he was in charge of coordinating commencement, scholarship awards, and several other campus events. Among his innovations on campus are annual recognitions such as the Dean’s List and commemorating FCC students who have died in the past year. Fox said in an earlier interview that his role during graduation is one of his most important as Dean of Students at FCC. Tony Cantu, VP for Academic Affairs said of Fox’s service to the students, “If you’ve ever been to an FCC graduation ceremony, that’s Robert right there.” Cantu praised the work and dedication Fox put into facilitating and recognizing student accomplishments throughout his time at FCC. When the commencement ceremonies begin this May, students and staff will notice his absence; anyone who has ever been to a Fresno City College graduation would remember the distinct somber tone of Robert fox. His focus on recognizing student accomplishment comes across clearly in the story of why Fox started the Dean’s List. Any student who achieves a 3.0 or higher in all classes for a semester receives a personalized letter signed by Fox. “People thought it was crazy. Previously, they got a generic letter that said ‘Dear student’. I printed out letters with the students name and hand signed each one. They told me to get a stamp. It only takes a second to sign each one. If the school doesn’t care enough to do that, what kind of message does that send?” Fox holds a bachelor’s in philosophy and a master’s in Education from See ‘Dean retires’ page 3