Retaining Dr. Laura Portnoi at CSULB

Dear Dr. Kim,

This petition is in regards to Dr. Laura Portnoi. It has come to our attention that the EDPAC department will not be retaining Dr. Portnois services for the academic year 2006-2007. We are extremely saddened and concerned at this news; perhaps our explanation of Dr. Portnois commitment to the SMF program will contribute to a reconsideration of this decision.

Many of us are graduate students who came into the SMF program in the Fall of 2005 without knowing we were to lose both Dr. Pinkney-Pastrana and Dr. Leonardo; two Professors who, we now understand, were instrumental in the organization and momentum of the SMF program. Fortunately, we were placed in the hands of Dr. Portnoi, a new instructor, in whom we blindly placed our faith and trust. In the past year Dr. Portnoi has completely taken it upon herself to learn every detail of the SMF program, get to know all of the participants, help students form their educational plans and start their thesis projects, organize social events, and, last but not least, throw herself into teaching classes with genuine enthusiasm. If that werent enough, she was also happy to get involved with the Social Justice Forum, an organization she created along with some of the SMF students; this group gives students the opportunity to transform theory into practical, realistic application. Dr. Portnois involvement in this club has shown her desire to impact her students as a friend and concerned citizen in addition to her capacity as an instructor. In short, she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and has risen to the occasion in such a way that has won our respect and affection.

For us to lose her after having been guided by her so artfully is quite a shock. It is also a huge inconvenience seeing as how some students are depending on her to see them through their thesis projects. To have an interruption in this challenging process is frustrating, to say the least. What is more, to lose such an insightful and helpful advisor at this crucial stage is a true tragedy.

Dr. Portnoi, with her rich academic background, brings knowledge and passion to the subjects that are central to the SMF mission. We feel the department would benefit from her gifts even more if they were to create more subjects having to do with Comparative and International Education; currently we only have EDP 582 and EDP 583 but perhaps with Dr. Portnois experience and fervor, more classes on this subject could be enjoyed.

In sum, we hope you will consider these issues and ultimately find a favorable resolution. We are the students who benefit from Dr. Portnois expertise and therefore should be the first consideration when making this decision.

We thank you very much in advance for your time and attention.