The Crash Course in Citizenship; A new front line in the immigration debate: access to higher education

While a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision entitles illegal immigrants to a free education from kindergarten through high school, neither Congress nor the courts have figured out what to do with the estimated 65,000 undocumented immigrant students who graduate from high school each year once they decide to attend college. A proposed federal law called the Dream Act would enable undocumented students who have attended U.S. schools and met other conditions to gain legal status and qualify for some student aid.

Playing Political Football

A number of community college presidents statewide say their institutions should not be involved in illegal immigration politics.

"As an educator, it's difficult to deal with the politics because we're in the business of teaching students. Community colleges are not the immigration police. That's not what we signed on to do," says Wake Technical Community College President Stephen C. Scott, who is also the president of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents.

Scott adds, "All community college educators are in this business because we want to help adults learn and improve their lives. One of the things that bothers me, if the INS [now Immigration Customs Enforcement] is not able to control the problem, how in the world do you expect a bunch of underpaid teachers in the community college system to solve the immigration issue?"

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College President Betty Young expresses similar sentiments.

"The issue of immigration is not an issue to be addressed in the admissions offices of community colleges across this country," Young says. "Immigration is a national issue; we need national policy and leadership to determine what is in the best interests for our country, and then we need to carry out that policy, and we have failed to do that," she adds.

Nevertheless, Perdue's chief of staff, Don Hobart, says the lieutenant governor feels strongly that state residents who cannot work legally should not be allowed to enroll in public colleges.

"While education is one of the worthiest goals of state and local governments, it is hard to justify the expenditure of state funds to train workers who cannot reasonably expect to remain in the country, let alone the state," Hobart says.

Amnesty?

This simply astounded me. There are no words for such a socially belligerent effort of art.

No need for me to analize it, I posted it because sometimes words aren't enough...In this case I'll leave the judging to you...

Inviting our denizens to this sort of cross-cultural debates is mediocre and a pure light of ignorance.

Observations from the Library's Courtyard

I observed the library’s courtyard, which is located immediately outside the reference desk and relatively in front of the artificial pond. I chose this particular spot because it is one of those places where you just get to watch people walk in and out the building like cars at an intersection. I sat in one of the chairs that linger near the tall, dead-orange walls perpendicular to the entrance and I did this in order to avoid any kind of hindering contact with the students; the corner where I was provided me with a perfect camping point.

After wandering, with eyes and ears, for a few minutes I decided to sit with a group of students that was apparently studying for a psychology class. I asked them some questions about the school and then about the library. Overall they thought that the environment invites students to feel calm and at ease. The peaceful vibe and the different clusters of trees along with the symmetrical infrastructure and perhaps simple architecture make them feel comfortable.

Gem in a Haystack

College Known for Welcoming Immigrants

The title of this article that I found in the "america.gov" website tells the story of Queen's College, where the majority of students are foreigners. Now, the details escape me swiftly, nevertheless, it is a fact that it is major propaganda to situate such article without any really subjective remark. The details of the article will be posted soon, but as of now, I am enjoying the dust that's drowning my skin -- a lot of cracking but there aren't a lot of nuts out there.

Traps about Inadequate Interview Questions

The Double Question: Do you like writing or you still think that Obama should've picked senator Clinton as running mate?

The Wrong Choice Question: Who do you think is today's best soccer player in the world: Michael Jordan, Roger Federer or Eric Clapton?

The "Fuzzy Word" Question: So what's up with "He-Man's" giant cougar?

The Cover the World Question: What do you think about Subjectivism in the media?

Dream Question: What would like to see in the next Jerry Springer show?

Admissions: the department which concerns to us all.

This shall be my first attempt at making some productive research regarding my topic for this semester. Illegal immigrants have always been, unfortunately, an infamous topic. Those with the penmanship and those with the power have utilized their time and efforts in developing new paradigms which will only sink the ship that this problem represents. We are only going deeper in to the trench of the sea.
The Washington Post published an article, no less than two years ago, pertaining to a bill which attempted to bar illegal immigrants from college. The Virginia representatives of the Republican Party, who nonchalantly decided to speak their minds amidst such a critical time for proficient students, also added that they feel that illegal immigrants have no right to any sort of federal funds; the real issue, among his vast ignorance, deals with admissions instead of financial aid.
I am only submerging myself into this world of injustice and yet, I could already witness a great ethical differential which dichotomizes the morally right from the morally wrong. My efforts are all focused in showing how the only opportunity that the illegal immigrants need begins at admissions.

Mr. AK87

He talked smoothly and softly about a place named Russia, AK87 did. He talked about a cold childhood and thick scarves, frozen teardrops caged by the terribly low temperatures of that northern nation. His town, with a population around the five hundred thousand, was approximately three hundred kilometers away from the great Moscow. His routine was quite plain yet quite exciting. He inhabited a classroom along with the same people that he had met back in first grade. AK87 cherished the simple life that he had back in the days of his premature universe, he lingered (sometimes) in the dimension of past memories, he smirked when he told me that instead of kicking a soccer ball, he would play around with a can – which was as useful as most of the times. He leaned forward without rocking the chair when asked about the always-molesting homesickness. Both AK87 and I knew that, there will be always a place to miss. His complexion was as dynamic as his words. Briefly and without pondering too much, he talked to me about a group of friends that he will never forget. He can only remember, for life is that step we make forward, the life he once had.
His mom walked him out of his beloved Russia; she brought him to the U.S.

The Basic Kafka

"Poseidon," a short piece by the sharply popular Franz Kafka, came to my attention today. After reading it with great enthusiasm I paused only to admire his efficient flexibility; sometimes the simplest measures will do in order to successfully construct a proper vehicle; the message was clear, his message for that matter, was clear.

"Poseidon" touches the human theme of monotony by describing the cumbersome process of administering the seas, that is, Poseidon’s only but yet notorious task. Kafka thinks, considering this piece particularly, that nobody can escape from the clenching tendrils of routine, nobody. Not even a God. Not even the God of the Sea. “It cannot be said that he enjoyed his work; he did it only because it had been assigned to him…” The intrinsically boring figures which he managed to go over every day without any sort of interest were the caging elements that rendered him an isolated soul.

It is quite likely and perhaps even more humorous to admit that every habit is a bad habit. Working with the same components day after day can make any human, or even any God, irritated with the confines of such repetitive realm. Poseidon besmirches the fact that he cannot even explore the seas which – as described by mighty law – he rules and omnipresently inspects.

I thought it would be appropriate to begin my blog with this story because of two reasons: first, it is my blog and I will do with it what pleases me and two, because Kafka is a very interesting sociologist who, fortunately, saw the essence of something that relates to all of those activities which we do not enjoy doing. Living and learning in automatic, in my case, would be plain misery. Poseidon’s case is divinely appropriate, today and tomorrow.

P.S. Thanks Alex for the book and Kevin for the chat.