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Paul Persons
Department of Political Science
1998
Thumb through the notebook containing support documents by
colleagues and former students of Political Science professor Paul
Persons and it's easy to see why the Faculty Recognition and Support
Committee has selected him as the Outstanding Academic Advisor for
1998. Writes a student who once served as administrative director of
the Community Legal Information Center, "Paul taught the interns to
read between the lines, to look beyond the obvious issues, and
decipher the truth." And there's this: "Paul is a very down to earth
person; he does not flaunt his achievements or intimidate his
students. It is his creed to be respectful, fair, and generous."
Less easy to understand is how Persons stays on top of a schedule
that includes teaching a minimum of two classes per semester,
supervising three internship programs (Workers Rights at CLIC,
Environmental Advocates, and the County Jail Law Program) as well as
all the non-CLIC legal studies internships, advising students in the
Pre-Law program, attending conferences and maintaining active
membership in a number of professional organizations, while also
practicing law, coaching soccer, and spending time at home. Juggling
his many responsibilities means that he must occasionally turn away
clients, something he does with reluctance. "We're in a crisis right
now, more so than any time in my lifetime, in terms of the number of
people who just don't have access to justice," he said. He praised
the work of CSU, Chico interns who assist the public in various
administrative contexts. "We have a jewel of a resource combining the
best of two worlds - academics and practical experience with
community service. Each of these students puts in a minimum of 120
hours a semester for three units, and some put in a lot more. It's
incredible. "
Persons graduated from Chico State in 1973 and attended the New
College of Law in San Francisco, where he worked as a Vista volunteer
in the Western Addition legal services office and also received a
Reggie scholarship from Howard University to assist low-income
people. He returned to Chico in 1979. "I thought maybe I'd teach for
a year, and I'm still here," he said, sounding a note of mild
surprise.
That he enjoys teaching and advising comes across clearly when he
talks about some of the students and programs he has been
instrumental in supporting. In the file compiled by the Advising
Office, in fact, is a letter from the director of admissions for a
Sacramento law school thanking him for recommending a particular
student.
"There's an incredible need for good attorneys willing to do
public service work," he said. "And they can still make a decent
living. I try to teach people how they can be community service
attorneys and still survive. A law firm is not the only option out
there."
The FRAS selection is step one in a process by which Persons is
also nominated for an award from the National Academic Advising
Association. "I try to provide options that enable students to
determine what is best for them, despite the many strings pulling
them in different directions," Persons wrote of his advising
philosophy.
Comments from Inside Chico State April 30,
1998
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