SLO and IPR committees show progress and happiness

There was a much friendlier and happier atmosphere at the general faculty meeting this morning as opposed to the last meeting.

Bryan Reece, Mark Fronke, faculty members, and even Bill Farmer seemed to be much more relaxed.

At the last meeting, there were very heated disputes and stressed faculty members demanding answers from president Bill Farmer.

This time around, detailed student improvement strategic plans were provided and improvements and updates on SLO’s were shared.

A lot was shared, leaving room for only a few questions, and a joke or two here and there.

It was rather detailed and enjoyable meeting except for the awkward moment where the Chair of the Instructional Program Review Committee called SLO Coordinator Frank Mixson two-faced.

Although it was meant to be taken as a joke, there seemed to be some offense taken.

Overall it seems that Student Learning Outcome Committee and the Instructional Program Review committee are making progress and working on further improvements to integrate committees and all entities on campus to collaborate in improving student success.

My experience in Talon Marks

Many people disagree with the newspaper Talon Marks produces and some would even like to abolish the entire production of a Cerritos College newspaper.

Many may see the paper as just something a bunch of students put together last minute to criticize and call out people to create conflicts.

Regardless of what many may say about Talon Marks, to me, the newspaper and its staff has grown to be much more than just staff writers and articles.

If it weren’t for my experience here with the paper, I would not have grown not only as a student, but also as a friend, a woman, and more importantly, a person.

At the beginning of this semester, I joined a class titled “Journalism 103 Newspaper Article Writing.”

I joined it thinking it was a class that taught you how to write newspaper articles.

Little did I know that I would soon be writing for the Talon Marks.

In all honesty, I signed up for the class because I was registering late and it was one of the only journalism classes open.

Despite me obliviously joining the class with an obvious misconception of what it would be like, I must say that this has been one the best experiences of my life.

The people I met, the love they’ve shown, the articles I’ve written, and the things I’ve learned have all become something I will most definitely keep at heart.

For personal reasons, I was looking for something that I could excel in, something that would efface inner issues I had and deterge all doubts about myself.

I needed something to prove to myself that I was not only worthy, but also capable of succeeding in life.

I found that and so much more writing for the paper.

On the third issue of our paper, I wrote an article regarding the attire of the Cerritos College cheerleaders.

I must admit it was a poorly written article.

I did not know better then and I definitely had not had any prior experience or knowledge as to how to write an opinion article.

I still strongly stand with the same opinion, but now I understand that I could have expressed my view in a much more journalistic and professional manner.

However, if I had not written that article and had not portrayed my views the way I did, I would not have gotten as close to the rest of the staff members as I have done so.

I was not ready for all the controversy, criticism, and hate mail, let alone the conflicts with people that this article would provide.

Yet, my fellow staff members were there to not only defend me, but also help me cope with all the mixed emotions I was feeling.

They had my back no matter what would happen.

No one can truly understand how much having their encouragement and support meant to me.

I got pregnant at 17, was disowned from my family, and was forced to become a single mother.

I had not been receiving much support lately.

But here they were, a staff that I hardly knew and they were supporting me and having my back 100%.

It felt good to know that there were people out there I could count on, especially when I did not know how to handle the situation.

The newspaper allowed me to push aside my doubts and fears and put myself out there.
It forced me to get out on the field and grow confidence to not be afraid to interview people and do whatever it takes to obtain a story.

I’ve met so many people and have learned so much due to the newspaper.

Not to mention all the fun times I’ve had at football games, water polo games, running for homecoming and building our float.

This entire semester, I looked forward to coming to school.

I knew I would not be bored and that there would always be something for me to do.

I knew there would be a story for me to take.

I knew I would meet someone new and exciting.

I’ve met several interesting people from just covering a story, some who are even part of the ASCC.

I know there are differences between the newspaper and our student government.

These issues could easily be resolved by having some form, any form or communication.

I defend the paper a lot because I know what it is like to produce a paper.

I know all the hard work and dedication that is expected and exerted as part of the newspaper staff.

I’ve grown and learned so much from this experience.

I can honestly say it has changed my life.

Therefore, I don’t take offenses to the paper lightly.

The newspaper enables people to express themselves and grow as individuals.

It allows people to explore the field and find qualities in themselves that would otherwise stay hidden.

You grow to be responsible, dedicated, and professional.

Yet, you still get to have fun and experience exciting and interesting new things.

I don’t see why someone would want to deprive another being of such a wonderful and learning journey.

Because of the challenges I was forced to face writing for the newspaper, I’ve learned so many life lessons.

I’ve grown to be proud of myself and the person I have become.

It may not mean much or anything at all to most people, but being part of the Talon Marks staff this semester was everything to me.

Some Journalism 101 for those who don't know

Due to the comments several incoherent people have posted on our TalonMarks website, it has come to my attention that it really isn't their fault they write stupid comments.

To be fair and rather nice, I am taking the responsibility to inform, or better yet share, what it is that we do as part of the newspaper staff.

For those who don't know how a newspaper works, I understand the ridiculous, immature, and absolutely naive comments they make.

Take for example two of the most recent articles written about homecoming.

One written by my fellow friend and staff writer Rick Gomez, and the other written by myself, Elieth.

Rick's story was supposed to announce this year's Homecoming Queen, and it did just that.

If I'm not mistaken, the very first line of his article states, "After the Homecoming events held the past few weeks, Helen Eggleston of the Court Reporting Club was announced 2008 Homecoming Queen."

Now, if this was a "feature" story, we (Talon Marks) would have run an entire article about Eggleston and how great she is and how excited she was to win etc. etc.

However, this was not a feature story. This was a news story, meaning it was just supposed to supply the information known, along with several quotes from various sources.

When people say things like "you guys are biased" and "that's slander," it is clear that you don't know what you are talking about.

Just because the newspaper provides quotes of people who opinion different than you does not mean it is being bias. It simply means that there are people out there who don't agree with what many think.

It is our responsibility to incite campus discussion.

We do not input only those sources whose opinions we agree with, let alone sugar coat our stories to please the school government or its faculty or its students.

We collect facts, along with insight of people on campus, and provide the information through our articles.

If someone thought another candidate should have won, well then that is their opinion and they are entirely entitled to it.

Just the same, you are entitled to your own.

However, don't go around calling people names and pointing fingers just because the entire campus does not agree with you.

In regards to the pictures, sometimes the pictures don't come out well. Whether it be due to bad lighting, bad angle, or just straight out bad photography, but they don't come out well.

So when it really comes down to it, we don't put the pictures of the floats or people we "prefer."

We use whatever it is we can use.

We try write stories and provide pictures that apply to what is going on on campus.

To be honest, the homecoming stories and pictures should not have even been in the paper.

It was printed because this event was appealing to the students on campus.
So really, people should be glad we even made it as big of a deal as we did.

If certain people expect us to be the promotional and encouraging lip of the student government and clubs, they are wrong.

We cover stories from various point of views, not just the one that gives a lovey-dovey portrayal of its topic.

If anyone disagrees with my opinion, oh well so be it. I'm just trying to inform those who don't know what it's like to put a paper together.

Instead of criticizing it, you might want to consider joining and experiencing it first hand.

So don't just take my word for it, but of course I'm pretty sure most are already talking crap thinking I'm acting like a know-it-all.

Frankly, it's quite fine with me.

You don't write for the paper, you don't edit the paper, you don't produce the paper, you don't know half of the effort and hard work it takes to be in the paper.

So honestly, until you perform even the tiniest bit of responsibilities the people in here do, then I will take your opinion into consideration.