Pizza With the President

by Viki Papadakis

To conclude this year’s series of open forums at Folsom Lake College, student government’s final assembly, “Pizza With the President”, was perhaps the most interactive and successful of the meetings. This open forum doubled as a typical open forum meeting and an oath of office for the incoming officers of the student senate. Both the incoming senate president, Jonathan Rogers and the incoming senate treasurer, Sami Manos participated in this concise but powerful process. Rogers and Manos took this oath as a “firm commitment to fulfill [the] obligations” that their student government positions entail. Having had a chance to converse with Rogers, I was able to recognize his dedication and ambition when approaching these obligations. Although I wasn’t able to speak with Manos, I can assume she holds these same positive intentions. ​

After the swearing in of these incoming officers, students were granted the opportunity to meet Dr. Rachel Rosenthal, Folsom Lake College’s president, and Mr. Brian Bell, the vice-president of Student Services. These faculty members’ decision to interact with the student body was not only very informative and beneficial to the students, but also a very refreshing approach to the positions that they hold. I was thoroughly impressed to see the camaraderie and respect that was evident in both the students and these important faculty members when addressing one another in conversation. It is all too often that we see aloof faculty who only fulfill their technical and formal duties. This “Pizza With the President”, however, demonstrated a very different, and much better technique in which there was actual dialogue and discourse amongst the student body and the faculty of Folsom Lake College. 

Now, this is where I will propose something important to all the readers of this article. Just like Dr. Rosenthal and Mr. Bell did, I encourage each of you to get involved in student activities and student life. Whether you find yourself attracted to student government or one of the various clubs or sports teams on campus, be dedicated. I feel that there is a great deal of stigma attached to attending a community college. People simply want to do their work and get out. However, as a very active person on campus, I can attest to the fact that simply interacting with other students with similar interests and drives as you can make the entire experience of community college much better. Not only will it provide a social network for you to envelop yourself in, it will provide you with the skills, experience, and even resumé or transfer application material you will need to propel yourself towards your own particular goal. As this year comes to a close, consider involving yourself in student events next year. Join a club, get involved with student government, start a study group, or even simply attend the open forum meetings offered on campus. In partaking in whatever activities interest you, you will surely have the most valuable and positive experience at Folsom Lake College.