A Message for students from the Dean of Student Support Services: Dr. Richard M. Ramirez:

Trust….How Do We Measure It?

In the early 1900’s, when groceries were bought at the open market on a daily basis, relationships based on trust often evolved out of necessity.  There is a story about two disabled men who developed such a relationship; one was blind and the other had a wooden leg.

Their daily routine was to take an afternoon stroll in the open market and obtain whatever free food they could.  Usually, a woman who sold fruit would give them day-old produce.

One afternoon the gracious fruit vendor gave the two men a fresh bunch of grapes.  Excitedly, as the two friends walked away, thanking the lady, they began to discuss how they would divide the juicy, delectable grapes.  Sitting under a shady tree, the blind man suggested that in terms of equity, fairness and trust, they should pick one grape at a time.  The man with the wooden leg agreed wholeheartedly and concurred that indeed this was a noble and trusting way to consume the scrumptious fruit.

After a few minutes, the blind man claimed that his friend was taking advantage of him and that their trust had been breached.  Outraged, the man with the wooden leg responded defensively and challenged the blind man to prove that their trust had been violated.  The blind man stated simply, “Although we agreed to take one grape at a time, I started taking two grapes at a time and I haven’t heard any argument from you!”

As college students, your “tantalizing fruit” is your experience with all those at Fullerton College who are here to assist, guide and offer great opportunity for you to obtain your educational goal.  The College’s instructors and staff are committed professionals who provide you with an academic environment which will facilitate your learning experience and direct you toward the attainment of your career goal.

The challenge for you, however, is to “take one grape at a time” and be fully aware of the academic rigor of your classes and what you need to do to pass a course successfully. Many of you students are enrolled full-time and work over thirty hours a week. This reality poses a serious challenge for those who have to maintain this kind of schedule and want to maintain an above average GPA. Are there reasonable options for this kind of dilemma? Absolutely!! First, you need to convince yourself that you want to do something about it. Second, you need to discuss the issues with those you trust; an instructor, your academic counselor and/or your Student Services Specialist. One of them or all of them will offer a number of reasonable options and then you need to act before it becomes a crisis.

What are some of the options, you ask.  While I cannot claim a definitive list of options, I would suggest the following: 1) see your instructor and inquire about extra credit; 2) contact several students in a class you want to enhance your grade and start a study-group; 3) see your academic counselor and discuss at length about “balancing” your class schedule, identifying job opportunities with a higher hourly rate, which will allow you to reduce your weekly work hours; 4) contact your Student Services Specialist and inquire about other EOPS students who may have the same major as yours and establish a peer-support group.  I’m sure there are many other options instructors, academic counselors and specialists can offer; the challenge is on you for you to take that first step; convincing yourself to do something about it.

I will leave you with this thought in mind, “Failure is unthinkable, but regret will haunt you with a life-long inquiry, What if…..” I encourage you to take that initial step, we have committed professionals who care for you and are here to assist and guide you toward your educational goal.

As we begin to close the book on another academic year, it is important that the college reflect on some of the many accomplishments that the institution has achieved this year:

• Spent $1.7 million on major department enhancements, including $780k for instruction and $114,000 for student services. Also included was $75,000 for administration and M&O as well as $720,000 for campus wide enhancements such as carpeting, roof repairs, cabling, faculty computers and upgrades.

• Established the President’s Advisory Council, ensuring college decisions receive input from primary constituent groups.

• Hired a permanent Vice President of Student Services.

• Began the development and implementation of a college-wide Master Calendar.

• Celebrated the Men’s Basketball team’s perfect season and state championship.

• Dedicated the new Library-Learning Resource Center

• Broke ground on the Campus Commons Building

• Completed a full Dynamic Fund cycle and allocated another $187,000 in support of student
  success.

• Maintained the college’s reputation as a leader in transfer to the UC and CSU systems.

• Formally established a Fullerton College Classified Senate and instituted an outstanding classified employee recognition process.

• Updated the college seal to include the Library-Learning Resource Center.

• Improved and updated the curriculum process.

• Continued the tradition of all staff events such as the Holiday Potluck, Classified Appreciation Barbecue, and the Dodgeball Tournament.

• Spent more than $713,000 to improve campus technology in support of student learning.

These however are only a small sampling of the extraordinary work the college does in support of its students. Fullerton College is an exceptional institution of higher education with exceptional faculty and staff - something in which we should all take pride!