It can be very easy to give in to cynicism at times like these. Even with the historic political victory on the national level, leaving most of us optimistic for the greater future of our country, we face so many challenges here at Sonoma State University, throughout the California State University system and throughout the world that the burdens can seem almost impossible to overcome.
Our greatest challenge here at Sonoma State is not within the sphere of the economic woes that seem at times to threaten our collapse, or the negotiations between the administration and the faculty, or the chancellor and the governor. Our greatest challenge is not the 16-unit cap that means it will take longer for many students to graduate. The greatest challenge, in times like these, is not giving in to despair. And the only antidote to despair is passionate engagement, the lifeblood of any university.
I see this passion in my own students, who put in countless hours producing the SSU Star, our university newspaper. These students work through the night with three jobs, no sleep and full course loads to make sure everyone at the university knows what's going to happen next.
If my writing student and graduating senior Susanna Gibson is not able to enroll in advanced writing next semester because of enrollment caps and the fact that the class is only offered once a year, she won't graduate in May. She'll have to wait another year.
Yes, seniors have priority registration. However, nothing says they are guaranteed to get their courses. As of now, once the course hits the cap determined by the administration, faculty members may not add students like Susanna even if there are physical seats available.
We are, all of us, in a strange boat. But we are all in it together. Must we fight the cuts? Of course. But we must all persist.
Over the past months, I have felt dark moods as I've considered the future of Sonoma State and CSU. It's at times like these I remember why I'm here, why we're all here and why I teach. And I teach because I believe in every student who walks through these hallways. I believe in the potential of each individual, and I believe in the fellowship of our shared purpose, be it faculty, staff or administration.
I believe that, at some level, past the bickering and the grudges and battles of ideas, teachers and administrators can and should and will work together for the greater good. Enlightened if sometimes painful compromise during this process is inevitable. Forgiveness of old wounds is necessary. Coming together as a university for the good of the students is imperative.
The next month likely will bring with it extraordinarily painful cuts. When one of us is wounded, we all are. We are a great ecosystem of education. In the days ahead, we likely will see many lecturers here today, gone when students return in January. We will see important sections cut. We will see budgets restrained and vital programs threatened. We will see frustrated students wanting to graduate and others wanting to find out why they can't get the classes they need.
I teach for the same reason as so many others. The importance of this task, the sacredness of this task, transcends all boundaries. The education of these students is the highest priority for their individual futures, for the future of California and the world. It is our highest purpose, a transcendental purpose.
We will rise to the challenges ahead, and we will overcome them together.Chip McAuley is a lecturer in communication studies and adviser to the student newspaper at Sonoma State University.
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081130/WIRE/811300327#