All posts by Gloria Hobson

Ethics in Action Clubs Enjoy Meet-up

ethics in action
Ethics

On February 9, SPC’s Ethics in Action club chapters from the Clearwater and Gibbs campuses met for the first time at Moccasin Lake Nature Park for a night of lively conversation and debate. Seventeen people and one white throated monitor, compliments of Dr. Melissa Coakley, represented the two clubs at this event.

ethics in actionThe evening began with some introductions, snacks and getting to know each other. Then we turned to ethical discussions, framed by clips of films and TV shows.

After watching The Orville, we considered ideas about parental choices that can affect the child (i.e. sex reassignment surgery at birth). A conversation ensued that included respectful disagreement and debate on solutions and problems included in the clip. This episode also lent itself to a discussion on epistemology, with the quote “confusing opinion with knowledge.” Another clip from this show illustrated that mistakes are meant to teach us how to be better, and how it is imperative that we learn from these mishaps. The clip showed a world where citizens are not given a second chance; if they make a mistake, the citizens vote whether to punish the individual. Some of us began to talk about learning from mistakes in terms of bullying – on both ends of the scenario. Learning from being a victim and learning from being the bully is equally important. This idea was even more emphasized when we opened up and spoke about our own experiences with bullying.

With the clip from the movie Saw, we considered how the needs of the many can outweigh the needs of the few. This topic appealed to our horror fans and triggered a discussion regarding sacrifice and touched on the Utilitarian view of the greatest good for the greatest number.

In Black Mirror, we looked at the potential of a dystopian future that could change the human experience, resulting in a lot of interesting comments and ideas. It also triggered a debate on the effects of Facebook, other social media outlets, and the effect of our cell phones on our daily lives.

The Matrix began a conversation of metaphysics and what reality truly consists of. We also reflected on relativism and false opinions for what may be “projected to us.” After a long, engaging dialogue, we came to a significant question: is murder always wrong? This caused a bit of a stir as a chorus of “yes” and “no” rang out. Though many would consider this response to be unfavorable, Ethics in Action clubs enjoy this kind of division, as it always leads to a great debate and sharing of different ideas.

It was a wonderful evening of comradery between the two Ethics in Actions chapters. It was, we hope, the first of many get-togethers between the clubs. Interested in the Ethics in Action chapters? Contact Dr. Melissa Coakley for the Clearwater chapter and Dr. Lee Miller for the St Pete/Gibbs chapter.

By Viviana Moreno

 

Pet Food Drive held by Ethics In Action Club

SPC Veterinary Technology student holding cat
Ethics

At the final Ethics in Action meeting for the fall semester, we discussed what projects we wanted to accomplish for the spring semester. We wanted to do something that would not only benefit the college’s students, but the community as well, so we came to the unanimous decision to do a pet food drive. We also wanted to collect supplies, in hopes that this effort would benefit the Vet Tech program at SPC and Pinellas County Animals Services.

I thought that this was a great idea because I feel that just like a government has an obligation to its citizens, a community has a responsibility to its pets.

Our drive began in the middle of February and ended April 1. I am very happy to say that we fulfilled our duty! The drive was a success because of the work of our members and the overwhelming response from students and faculty. We even got a donation of 169 bags of cat food from a member of the community. We delivered the cat food to Pinellas Animal Services where they use the food to feed the pets, but they also give a bag of food to the adoptive pet parent. When I went into the office I saw a girl who was adopting a cat. I spoke with a worker who said they would meet me outside. I saw that same girl outside who had adopted the cat, and she told me that her other cat was stolen and that was why she was adopting. I then decided after seeing that she had no cat food with her to give her four bags out of the back of the truck. Both she and the folks at Pinellas County Animal Services were very appreciative and thankful.

On Friday, April 21, we delivered the supplies. Our first stop was Pinellas County Animal Service, and there we met with Doug, the manager. Doug was very appreciative and thankful for our efforts– so much so that he posted our group picture on their Facebook page thanking us. We took a tour of the facilities – which are enormous and very well taken care of.

https://www.facebook.com/PinellasCountyAnimalServices/photos/a.215253840982.142534.190810155982/10154504435300983/?type=3&theater

 

We then went next door to SPC Vet Tech College to meet with Dean Flora, then took group photos with the supplies. Dean Flora introduced us to Jessica; she would be giving us a tour. Jessica was a fountain of knowledge; she showed us where it all happens, even the fake arms for students to practice drawing blood. We also got to see the rabbits, cats, birds, rats, an old man hamster and a dragon. I can speak for all of us in the club – including Dr. Miller – when I say that this pet food drive was a great experience for us that we enjoyed immensely, and because of this, we will have this drive every spring.

 

Notary training was a Saturday well-spent

Photo of notary gavel and documents
Paralegal Studies

By Sonya Herbold

On Saturday July 9 I had an important decision to make: spend three hours in SPC’s mock courtroom on the Clearwater Campus learning the responsibilities of a notary public OR spend my birthday on the beach. I can honestly say that at 9 a.m. on a Saturday morning the Clearwater campus is very quiet.

Although you might not think so, the decision to attend the seminar was actually an easy choice for me to make. I am concerned that I will be at a disadvantage in finding a job compared to my peers, who have also graduated from the paralegal program- an underdog so to speak. While many of my classmates have worked in law offices, the only knowledge I have about being a paralegal is what I learned from the classes in the program. I have no practical experience, nor do I have an inside connection to a law firm. But I do have the willingness to set myself apart from others, and taking the extra step to become a notary public adds another marketable professional skill to my resume.

In order to become a notary in the state of Florida, you have a choice: a three-hour live seminar or an interactive session online. Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes covers the responsibilities of a notary in Florida. To me, attending a live three-hour seminar just makes more sense to explain all the nuances of Chapter 117. The seminar was led by Denise McCabe, who is very knowledgeable and has the added bonus of the ability to make three hours go by rather quickly. The nice thing about attending the seminar is that you are not alone; you are attending with other people who are also interested in becoming notaries, which means you have the advantage of hearing the answers to questions you might not have thought to ask. There is more to being a notary than just placing your stamp on a piece of paper or having the ability to perform the wedding ceremony for friends and family. There are important guidelines to know and to follow, and you must be aware of the consequences of not following proper procedure.

While I ended the day without a dose of Vitamin D, the knowledge I gained was a nice present to myself.

If you are interested in the Notary training, Mrs. McCabe will be offering it again in the future through the Paralegal Studies program. I recommend you contact Dr. Christy Powers.

 

Public Policy student’s mission

Photo of Sane Haidara
Public Policy

St. Petersburg College’s Public Policy and Administration student Sane Haidara came to the United States from Timbuktu, Mali with an ambitious goal: improve human rights, including equal rights for men and women, educational opportunities, sanitation, health, and reduce malnutrition in his homeland.

Growing up in this West African nation, Sane has witnessed first-hand starvation, lack of education – especially for girls – and human rights violations and how all these factors impacted quality of life in his community. Now in his final semester in the Public Policy and Administration B. S. degree program, Haidara has chosen to work toward his goals by focusing his final Capstone project on developing a pilot school feeding program in the remote city of Timbuktu, where poverty and food insecurity have significantly impacted school attendance, achievement, and retention. This program would provide breakfast, lunch, and a take home meal to primary school children in the community—which in some cases is their only source of nutrition. It includes coordination on the international, national, state and local levels of government.

Since he began the Public Policy and Administration program in 2014, Haidara has demonstrated leadership qualities and a genuine character that has earned the respect of this program, administration, faculty, and his fellow classmates. According to Public Policy and Administration Instructor in Charge, Professor Jeff Kronschnabl, “To be effective in government service, one should feel the call to service; the need to make a difference. In Sane’s case, he exemplifies those positive traits and is willing to do whatever is necessary to improve the conditions within his country at the risk of his own personal safety. We are proud to have had him as a student in our program. We all have learned something from Sane’s values.”

As he moves on to graduate school, he plans to further develop his Capstone project at a higher level to reach the point of sustainability. We wish Sane the best. He will be sorely missed by the countless lives he has touched here at St. Petersburg College.

 

Attend the Paralegal New Student Orientation and Info Session

Paralegal Studies

Learn more about our associate and bachelor’s degrees in Paralegal Studies at SPC. Or, if you want to become a paralegal and already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, explore obtaining a bachelor’s certificate in Paralegal Studies.

Register online!

Info session details:

  • Thursday, July 7, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
  • Clearwater Campus
  • Speak to our faculty and dean and learn about program expectations
  • For more information, call 727-791-2557

 

 

Congratulations to Duane A. Daiker

Faculty Awards, Paralegal Studies

Congratulations to SP(J)C grad and long-time Legal Studies Adjunct Professor Duane Daiker on his election as Chair of the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar.
Duane A. Daiker has been elected Chair of the Appellate practice Section of The Florida Bar. Established in 1993, the Appellate Practice Section is a 1,700 member organization comprised of Florida Layers and judges. The organization is devoted to promoting excellence in state and federal appellate practice through study, continued legal education, increased public awareness and exchange of ideas.
Mr. Daiker is a partner in the Tampa law firm of Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, LLP. He is a Board Certified Appellate Practice Specialist and is currently serving his second term as a member of the Appellate Rules Committee of the Florida.
While attending SPJC Mr. Daiker participated in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program on the Clearwater Campus. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Florida for both his undergraduate and law degrees. While in law school at UF Mr. Daiker served as the editor-in-chief of the University of Florida Law Review.
Prof. Daiker has taught a variety of law classes including Legal Research and Legal Writing to Paralegal Studies students at SPC since 2000. One of the most popular field trips in the program is the night visit to the offices of Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick which gives students a sneak peak into their future work sites! Congratulations, Professor Daiker! We are so proud of you.

Law Day 2016 by Kamryn Little

Paralegal Studies

When I was asked to help coordinate St. Petersburg College’s 2016 Law Day Celebration, I did not hesitate; I wanted to be part of this event. When I was told that Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince was going to be our keynote speaker, I was ecstatic. I heard that she was fantastic to listen to but I never thought I would be so enthralled with a speaker. I left the event with goosebumps.

The night began with Professor Charles Rose of Stetson University College of Law. Professor Rose is magnetic when he speaks, he draws listeners in and no one wants him to stop talking. He discussed the importance of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. He said even if the Miranda warning is not expressly written in the Constitution, it is implied by the creators that all people should be free from unnecessary intrusion.

Justice Quince echoed this thought and talked about this year’s Law Day theme: Miranda Rights. She spoke about the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution and she spoke about the importance of students understanding their judiciary system and why it plays such an important role in our country. My favorite part of the night was Justice Quince telling people to be involved in their society and vote. She said she once drove hours to vote in an election after her absentee ballot did not arrive in time. Justice Quince made it clear that there are no excuses for not voting in all elections: local, state, and federal. People in our history worked too hard for us to have the right to vote so why waste it?

Ultimately, I left the event inspired and ready for things to come. Professor Rose will (hopefully) be one of my professors as I navigate through law school and it is wonderful to know I have the opportunity to listen to him again. Justice Quince made me feel as though I have a purpose once I am through law school. She exudes justice. She told me as long as I feel like what I am doing is right, I will be happy and I think that is a perfect take away from such an amazing evening.