Dearest Susan's Place supporters,

Please forward any concerns and/or ideas that you may have regarding Community Colleges in the USA to me by PM or email please.  I was recently appointed to the Association of Community College Trustees Diversity Committee and want to do what i can to further discussion of and support for inclusive and diverse communities on campus.  Open access is one of the hallmarks of our Community Colleges and we are well served by including all of the rainbow in this educational process.  Learning is best thought of as a life long process.  I want to learn more about your campus experience and solicit your feedback.

Thank you,

Tessa James
Scheller appointed to diversity committee
http://www.dailyastorian.com/news/local/scheller-appointed-to-diversity-committee/article_09108840-48a0-11e3-8312-001a4bcf887a.html
Source: The Daily Astorian Author: None listed

edit by LH to add in article title, source, and author

You know that little pamphlet places give out about rights and responsibilities? They need one and it needs to include respecting others identities.

Wow, congrats Tessa!

Quote from: LordKAT on November 17, 2013, 05:12:54 PM
You know that little pamphlet places give out about rights and responsibilities? They need one and it needs to include respecting others identities.

Thanks LordKat.  Including the words "gender identity and gender expression" in a policy statement regarding non discrimination is a good starting point and can be part of an orientation for incoming students.  As you are well aware, rules and laws don't always change hearts and minds and we have work to do.  Part of that work is the dialogue and discussion that is a necessary component in the process for including such language in that pamphlet you mention.  Good thing I like meetings

Quote from: LearnedHand on November 17, 2013, 05:28:19 PM
Wow, congrats Tessa!

Thanks for your support and for your help in posting

That's awesome Tessa!! I have no idea about any suggestions for you, but I will say that what you will be involved with seems like a prime area for educating people about us and making sure that we are fairly represented and treated.

And I'm sure that you will do an extremely good job! 

Quote from: Eva Marie on November 17, 2013, 09:19:05 PM
That's awesome Tessa!! I have no idea about any suggestions for you, but I will say that what you will be involved with seems like a prime area for educating people about us and making sure that we are fairly represented and treated.

And I'm sure that you will do an extremely good job! 

Thank you Eva Marie,

I remind people during presentations that while I am not representative of all transgender or LGBT people we deserve a place at the table and a voice in the community.  After one campus presentation a student approached and handed me his drivers license asking, "what do you see?"  I compared the photo ID to the man in front of me and replied, "it looks like you lost a lost of weight."  He smiled and said "I kinda get what you were feeling."  He then explained that he had needed to alter his body and "how I look" by surgical means (Gastric bypass) to save his life from morbid obesity.
That empathy for another's experience is heartening as well as the far greater knowledge and acceptance of diversity by young people today.
Some days it is one person at a time that we can connect with to foster that fair treatment we both agree is needed.  Education is the key.

Good for you Tessa. 

The three community colleges in my area are under terrible financial stress, and most kids have no way of getting an A.A. degree in less than three years because of course and personnel cutbacks.

Thank you Gabrielle,

In some regions the financial disinvestment by the States is at a critical level with rises in tuition that foreclose on some students access to higher education.  Sustained and stable school funding is fundamental to equal opportunity.  Our lone College here faced reductions in State support that led to painful faculty layoffs and tuition hikes.  Getting our financial priorities in line with current and future needs is an essential discussion.  All of us are asked to do more with less, so we roll up our sleeves and get to work.
On a personal level; it took me that same three years to get an Associates Degree and it was well worth my time.

What is your impression of how this impacts students and access to those three colleges in your area?