Knowledge is Power
April 8, 2016
As students of CAC, it’s important to know what’s going on with our college. How else will we make sure the people in charge are looking out for our best interests? An easy way to keep up with the college’s affairs is attending its monthly Governing Board meeting. During these meetings, students can find out what potential growth and changes are occurring on campus. These meetings are very informative, but there is a problem with those in attendance. In the smattering of faces, hardly a student can be found. It’s understandable, because who wants to attend a three hour meeting? However, when CAC’s ability to provide quality education is threatened, students will be the ones to deal with the consequences.
It wasn’t until last semester that I attended my first meeting. I wish I had done it earlier. The management of our college is probably the last thing on our minds. I know that was my mentality. It was only when I started writing for the Cactus and attending these meetings did I notice students don’t really have a say in the changes that occur. With our focus on graduating and making a better life, we simply go with the flow. “Whatever happens, happens…. it’s not my problem” But it is! As of now CAC’s governing board is voting on issues that could affect you personally.
Increased attendance at the March 22 meeting.was expect but a big surprise was the large number of people participating in the meeting’s call to the public. The call to the public is a time set aside during the meetings in which members of the public can address the board, it usually lasts anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes, on March 22nd the call to the public lasted over an hour!
Many people from Pinal County Citizens for Fair Taxation (PCCFT), got up to speak. The group is persistent in voicing their opposition to CAC spending. Cliff Terry, an older gentleman from the Saddle Brook Ranch area, like many of the PCCFT members that spoke, expressed concern over the funding being spent to maintain and improve the college. Of course, Terry has a right to be concerned, you want to make sure your money is used appropriately. Trust me, I’m a taxpayer as well. While they say they’re for education, less money coming into the college equals a poorer quality of education.
To our pleasant surprise, many students and faculty, including Professor Diane Beecroft, took to the podium. She spoke of how CAC contributed to her students’ success, “I am grateful for the part CAC has in the community and the difference it makes for us all.” Many others expressed great appreciation for the college.
Thinking back on his first board meeting, Dominic Savana’s reason for addressing the board was simple. “ It felt like there wasn’t an incredible amount of student representation at these board meetings. In many of the decisions; not just the board, but the public wasn’t hearing the student’s voice.”
It boils down to this, with more input from students, CAC’s governing board will have an accurate idea on how to go about improving CAC. At this time we can’t vote on matters related to the school’s direction, but our voice can be very persuasive.
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