College of Marin is a community college. We all know that. With "community" being half of the description of what we are (the other half clearly being "college"), why is it that many students are having trouble finding a place for themselves here? "Most students are set up to get out of here in two years," says Diane Ascher, a student who has come back to school, "I don't have any immediate plans to get out of here, and it seems as if the people who are on a fast track to get out are the ones who are paid attention to.
A final tally of absentee ballots last month confirmed Diana Conti as the newest member of the College of Marin board of trustees, while Wanden Treanor and Barbara Dolan retained their seats; but the political dust has not completely settled from the Nov. 3 election.
College of Marin president Frances White announced her retirement last month. Faculty and staff were shocked when receiving the news. White's retirement comes one year before the end of her contract. Since 2004, when White first came to COM, COMs enrollment has jumped and its cash reserves rose from 5 percent to nearly twelve percent.
On a cool November evening, Alex Larin, 27, sits in front of his televison set, not to watch the latest episode of "Gossip Girl," but to watch the latest installment of College of Marin's televised political science course. Larin says it is easier for him to take distant learning courses due to his conflicting work schedule.
The campus police station's lobby is empty of students during a recent afternoon. No phones are ringing. No one is waiting to file a report. A sign, which welcomes students and staff seeking an officer, points to a buzzer. College of Marin is virtually crime free, according to campus Chief of Police Charles Lacy.
Tuition fees have risen across the board in California, and some students are lashing out. Recent protests at the UC campuses have resulted in the arrests of students, whose call for financial relief has fallen on deaf ears. At College of Marin, Diane Ascher, a student, has refused to pay the recent increase in fees as her form of protest.
Nearly a decade ago campuses, particularly in this area, teemed with students that used their voice, spoke up and implemented changes that made a difference. A recycling workgroup at College of Marin hopes to offer students that chance next semester. A kick off date for the first meeting, which aims to reinvigorate the student run recycling program, is scheduled for Jan.