Last semester an editorial entitled "Respect the Press" appeared in The San Matean. The main premise was that it was abhorrent and counter productive for Occupy Oakland protesters to treat journalists as hostile as had been reported (One TV reporter was reportedly bitten by an Occupier's dog and others verbally harassed constantly).

Now, it seems the disrespect-the-press-bug has spread to the policemen of America.

You are walking to class when someone handing out information suddenly interrupts you.

They flash you a friendly smile and a "good-day" is exchanged, as well as small pamphlet.

They maintain their smile with you until eye contact is lost and they walk toward the next closest person.

You look down at the handout they left with you; the cover shows hens in a field standing peacefully, with the title "Compassionate Choices."

CSM's newly implemented registration policy has given students a deadline to pay for student fees.

The deadline for the Spring 2012 semester was Jan. 4. About seven percent of students failed to meet the deadline requirements.

Our educational system is regarded as one of the highest prestige. There's no question why people come here: higher standard of living. Yet, we find it necessary to make it difficult for an out-of-country person to educate themselves in developing these ideas further. 

The San Matean is continuing with First Amendment updates, reporting on an ongoing dispute with the administration regarding the future of its newspaper and website.

The San Matean has just received a response from the administration regarding proposed signage in Building 10 directing people to its new location.

Everyone has been challenged to a schoolyard fight, knows someone who has or has at least seen a similar kind of scenario unfold on a TV show or in a movie. The bottom line is: it is an awkward situation to be in.

Cost has taken on a deeper meaning when it comes to a college education. With budget cuts on the rise and students struggling to afford an education, the question is, is it all really worth it?

Transferring colleges is supposed to signify a fresh start. A student attends an orientation, may meet with a counselor and takes a placement test.

After recommendations made by the Academic Senate of California Community College's appointed Student Success Task Force to standardize placement tests statewide, is leaving some uneasy.

Presently, the greatest source of controversy seems to be the National Defense Authorization Act.

The bill essentially entitles the government to  indefinitely detain anyone they determine to be a possible terrorist, including American citizens. The civilian reaction has been overwhelmingly against the resolution, perhaps the fiercest opposition to any congressional act since the financial bailouts of 2008.

To be frank, it is relieving.