Take action before its too late

It's time to take action! No longer can students attend this school and assume that decisions are being made in your best interest. "Sit down, shut-up and do as you are told!" is never acceptable, especially by a governing board that is required by law to adhere to shared governance.

Being senior staff on the school paper places me in a unique position where many on campus share private opinions, approach me with critical information and include me in the going-ons of this campus.

What I hear and see has led me to the conclusion that there are many childish and self-serving control freaks on this campus that do not deserve our trust. I do not want decision makers going unchecked and awry. This is never a good idea anywhere.

Do you really want someone making decisions that may endanger your very life and who disregard everyone else's input, spend the school's money frivolously and don't care what you think or want?

There's only one-way to be sure you prevent this.

Fellow students "Standup, speak-out and actively participate as much as you can. Make your voices heard as they once were on this campus."

Because if you don't, you and future students most assuredly will be sorry because this school is already in a financial bind and this board is about to make some of the most import decisions in the history of this college.

Students may think the board has no effect on them but they do. These are the people who decide everything from the cost of your college education to what classes will be offered and more.

They decide what the safety procedures are, who's in charge of what, who your teachers are, how to spend school money, which affects the cost of your education, and whether you have any say in matters concerning YOU.

You may suffer the consequences of not doing anything. If the per unit cost increases next year and you can't afford to attend school anymore then you can't complain. If the school loses its ability to offer financial aid, and you can't attend this school anymore then you have no right complain, and it is possible because if the board has violated state law, it could lose its financial aid rights and if it doesn't pass accreditation it could lose financial aid and the classes you take will not transfer anywhere.

Even worse, if the safety procedures aren't correct then this will allow decision makers to put you at risk and if you are blown-up by a bomb, you have no right to complain. Oh! But then you won't be able to will you.

Is this a risk you are willing to take?

Do you really want to go to a school where teachers have to fight for the right to have a say in their work environment, where the board disregards the input of the dedicated leaders of this campus who have sacrificed their time and then have the board risks your future?

Your decry is absolutely required.

What about those teachers and staff who have supported you in your education, they need your help too. They dedicate their time and energy to your education in spite of what they have to deal with from administration.

Most students don't know about the types of political power plays that take place nor the ridiculous administrative decisions that these people have to deal with on a daily basis.

Let's not forget your fellow students who work for you. The student leaders and volunteers sacrifice their time; deal with the stress and who work hard for you.

They need your support too.

Are you, the Rio Hondo student body, which number in the tens of thousands going to let a little board put you at risk or are you going to take action. Who do think would win?

As students of this college, you need to get involved, find out and take action to end all this insanity!

I encourage students enrolled at this campus to find out for themselves what is going on here.

"How can students get involved?" can easily be answered just dialing your phone, go to the campus inn or go to a board meeting.

The Board meeting dates are posted on the web and they are public meeting that you have a right to attend. You can't be denied this right by law.

Contact Hannah Lessin, assistant director of student activities and/ or ASB President Jennifer Marquis by calling 562-908-3427 or visiting their offices in the Campus Inn.

Or contact Board Student Trustee Ramon Quintero, who is available before board meetings because he wants to hear from you.

These people want to help you get involved, teach you the ropes of defending your rights and they will even help you become a leader in community affairs. That's what they do.

I urge all students to become informed and take action in order to ensure the future of the integrity of this college before it's to late.