Oooook. So. I can not believe how quickly this semester is going by. February came and went with less than half a snap of a finger.
Good news is: I shouldn't be too stressed out over midterms..hopefully.
Better news: Spring break is coming up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think this is going to be a really great spring break since
Even better news: I am in the process of creating a proposal and taking it to 1.) My group for the community partner project. 2.) My old roommates. 3) The RA staff 4.) The undergraduate student leader body 4.) My boss.
I want to get as many opinions as possible for before I take it to my boss and have her shoot it down for being underdeveloped...or have her simply think it's ill-placed or that I'm an idiot.
Plus, even though I'm an RA, I need to learn about what happens to students after I document them. I know that they have a hearing if the incident is serious enough, but I have no idea what could come out of that hearing.
On my C/P agenda before spring break
1.) Find out what the judicial process entails after I have seen and documented a scenario...because me, the other RA, and other students in the immediate vicinity are the only witnesses
2.) Finish talks with students and take their concerns to the police chief
3.) Draft a proposal and take it to the aforementioned people
4.) Meet again with the police chief and show him students' ideas.
Thus far, my CBL assignment has been nothing short of a learning experience. I am learning about the current NDNU student community, about the administration, and the energy associated with the theory of cause, effect, and reaction.
So, right now there is an NDNU issues Facebook page being updated daily with students posting grievances about things wrong with the university. Problems range from housing to library hours to the way advising is done.
I blogged a few weeks ago about my wonderful Friday night experience on duty. While I don't necessarily take back my criticisms, I do to a degree agree with the student body.
I can understand, though I don't agree with, the way students try to find things to do on campus. If you're looking for something to do every Friday or Saturday night, and you've chosen not to do homework because you're too cool for school (I don't understand how people don't do homework on Friday and Saturday, it's the only way I can get it all done)...what do you do?
This isn't a recent epiphany, I just feel that it's worth mentioning.
I do share some of these grievances. Whatever the constraints may be, I am really annoyed that the library isn't open 24 hours- and that whenever we have a three day weekend, the library takes the ENTIRE weekend off rather than just the holiday itself.
I've learned things are not as organized as they could be, and that people make mistakes- it doesn't mean that they're irresponsible. When students don't know the entirety of a situation and it adversely affects them (not so adversely, maybe just inconveniences them a bit), they are quick to express utter disgust and hatred for any and all that may be responsible...and perhaps understandably so.
The members of this class who have been following my blog may have picked by now that I am a fairly open person. Further, I'm never in state of mind that makes me inaccessible.
This goes to say that if residents have these issues...they don't bring them to me.
I've learned so far that the Belmont Police Department is interested in punishment rather than prevention...and they don't even know it.
Of all of the ideas they had- firewatch, first chance, arrest, jail....community service was the most sensible. I mean, if someone has to do firewatch, that means they are on RA duty with me...except they have to wear a big red hat that says 'I should be ashamed of myself for drinking'
Do I need to point out the problems with this picture?
This has probably been my biggest challenge working with BPD. They see: problem, what's causing the problem, let's take 'em down, problem fixed.
I see: Problem, what's causing the problem, what is at the root of what's causing the problem, how do we fix this without losing sight of the fact that we are kids and it's hard to change minds, what has worked in the past, what works at other schools, let's try to fix it.
I don't know if my way of looking at this is a problem, but I just see it as a bit more empathetic a thorough than that of someone who is much older and is used to policing rather than being in the environment, knowing specifically who needs help, and trying to understand it. There are many facets to this issue: socioeconomic, age, and culture of upbringing to name a few.
In the second half of the semester, I'd like to sensitize the police department.
I'm enjoying the position less than I thought I would, but that's not to say I'm not enjoying it.
I think from this experience I will extract that understanding of cause and effect, and that BPD is also reacting to their experiences with this campus.
Study Questions:
1.) What effects would city-county consolidation have on local communities. In it exists one fire department, one fire department for a geographic area encompassing several cities and counties.
2.) What would a cost and benefit analysis of city-county consolidation look like?
3.) Does California set forth home rule?
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