Stanislaus State students say university has turned their back on them | Opinion

Stanislaus State student’s frustrations

“Stanislaus State braces for $8.1M budget cut,” (modbee.com, March 26)

I am a student at California State University, Stanislaus, and I feel compelled to express my distress and dissatisfaction with the current situation. What once seemed like a dream come true has become a challenging reality: I am facing significant class reductions that hinder my ability to continue my education.

My major, sociology, has been particularly affected by faculty cuts, resulting in fewer available courses and scheduling conflicts. As a working mother, I have greatly benefited from evening classes, which are no longer offered for my major requirements.

The recent developments at CSU Stanislaus are far from fulfilling the university’s mission. These changes disproportionately affect minority students, ultimately hindering our path to obtaining a degree and contradicting the university’s values.

The termination of Professor Adam Fleenor, who teaches two of my evening classes, has had a significant impact. Fleenor possesses a wealth of knowledge and truly embodies the university’s mission. It is profoundly disheartening to witness the university let go of a professor who genuinely prioritizes student success and is dedicated to offering courses that meet students’ needs, such as evening classes.

CSU Stanislaus should reconsider its decision regarding faculty cuts and recognize the negative impact it is having on its students.

Mayra Valencia

Ceres

Stanislaus State abandons core mission

“Stanislaus State braces for $8.1M budget cut,” (modbee.com, March 26)

I am a student at California State University, Stanislaus where the quality of academia for students is not the school’s top priority.

My current classes are excellent, and I am grateful that my professors go above and beyond to provide for us. But now the university is taking this away: Classes are being dropped, and staff and professors are getting laid off. Tuition cost is increasing, and the very things and people that make CSU Stanislaus excellent are being removed.

If the university truly prioritized the quality of teaching received by its students, why are excellent professors and class opportunities being cancelled? As a student, it is confusing to pay for something that is evidently not fulfilling its mission statement, which reads: “...we promote academic excellence in the teaching and scholarly activities of our faculty, encourage personalized student learning, foster interactions and partnerships with our surrounding communities and provide opportunities for the intellectual, cultural and artistic enrichment of the region.”

Heather Oram

Modesto

Trump must be impeached

“Trump’s order threatens Valley PBS and KVPR funding,” (fresnobee.com, May 4)

While President Donald Trump has repeatedly called public media outlets biased, it is he who is biased. In fact, he is so biased that he would destroy our country and everything in it for his own personal gain — either to stay out of prison or to get more money, power or prestige.

This is illustrated by what he does: Giving the unelected Elon Musk great power without getting Congress to authorize an official appointment; cutting funding and personnel from agencies neither Trump nor Musk understand; and blatantly ignoring court orders. Trump is an unrepentant convicted felon who delights in breaking as many laws as he can in broad daylight.

It is simply a crisis that he is president. He already tried to overthrow the government on Jan. 6, 2021. We need him to be impeached. And it isn’t enough to wait for the mid-term elections; by then, we might not even have a government left.

John Lehman

Atwater

Protecting the bees

“How abundant is wildlife at Dos Rios & other preserves near Modesto? DNA results will tell,” (modbee.com, March 4)

More than 700 species of native bees are in decline across America. Half of those are at risk of extinction. Poisoned by toxic pesticides and displaced by development, bees are struggling to survive with fewer and fewer safe places to live.

By planting more bee-friendly habitats, we can help bee populations thrive. Even tiny patches of habitat on roadsides, in public parks and on government lawns could make a huge difference for bees.

Bees need wild places all year round: Blooming plants for nectar and pollen in the spring and summer, and leaves and brush for shelter in the winter and fall. Planting habitat is a proven strategy: One study found that bees and other pollinators thrive in cities and towns when the right kinds of plants are allowed to grow in public gardens and parks.

Daniel Marsh

Modesto