PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE, Joyce
As another year is ending and a New Year is on the horizon. A big THANKS to all the Branch officers and members who made this year a success. I am pleased and honored to be able to take over for President Paulette as your new President. We all wish her the best
We can all make a difference in the coming year for AAUW. As the saying goes it takes a village but with our Branch, it takes each and every member to make a difference by giving what they can of their time, talent, and friendship. Helen Keller once said, “ Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much”. We can all join together and make a difference.
I hope to see all of you December 10 at our Holiday Party at Carol’s house. In the meanwhile I wish you and your family a happy holiday season and health and happiness in the New Year.
Meeting/Program, Mary Ann & Nancy
No general meeting in December.
The AAUW Holiday Party will be on Saturday, Dec. 10th at 7:00 p.m. It will be at Carol”s house. Car pool if you can as parking isn’t wonderful.
Bring a holiday snack or sweet to share. It is a BYOB party. Hot spiced cider and coffee will be provided. There was a sign up sheet at the November meeting. Please let Carol know if you will be coming and what food item you will be bringing. This is necessary so she will know what holiday paper goods she will have to get. The last time it was there 32 signed up and 45 showed up. Let’s not let that happen this time. Looking forward to a wonderful evening.
We will also be collecting holiday gifts for Su Casa.
Local College News
Thank you to our branch member and Cerritos College representative, Norma Rodriguez, for her enlightening presentation at our November meeting. She explained about her work at the college and spoke passionately about her increasing concern for the many international and undocumented students that her office serves. These students are among the most dedicated and high performing on the campus. In our changing political climate, they are now fearful and feel threatened. Some have given personal information to the government for the promise of becoming “Dreamers” under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival act of President Obama. They fear this could soon lead to reprisals and even deportation for themselves or their families.
While California has the highest nationwide percentage of international students, it has put into effect a number of safeguards for them and their personal information, as well as legislation that grants some of them instate tuition rates at all state schools. On Tuesday, November 22nd, Cerritos College students, joined by some trustees and staff, held a candlelight vigil on the campus to declare that it become a “sanctuary campus”. This is a similar philosophy to that adopted by over 30 “sanctuary cities” across the nation, including Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Proposed policies on campuses, similar to those adopted by cities, would not allow ICE officers onto campus without a warrant, campus police would not enforce immigration law and student information would not be shared. A variety of support programs and services will be provided to threatened students at Cerritos College.
The future still remains uncertain, but these are important protective steps being taken in California’s higher education institutions for students pursuing education for their future success. On campus, the President, college staff, students and faculty are organizing awareness and support. The state of California is taking a proactive stance and the chancellors from the three largest educational sectors (UC, CSU, and Community Colleges) have written a letter of concern to president-elect Trump.
Membership, Sue S and Barbara S
BREAKFAST CLUB: Wednesday, November 30th, @ 9:00 am, at Coco’s, Cerritos
December- Thursday, December 22 nd, the fourth Thursday
