Whether or not to adopt a resolution recognizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer and Allied History Month and encouraging students, faculty and staff to attend LGBTQA Month events was the main topic addressed at the Association of the Students of the University of Nebraska meeting Wednesday.
The resolution passed by a roll-call vote of 13-5-4. The ASUN members also passed two other bills and a resolution at the meeting.
The LGBTQA History Month resolution, submitted by senators Ryan Fette, an educational administration graduate student and Special Topics Chair, and Justin Shilhanek, a junior psychology major and Diversity Strategic Development Committee Chair, was first brought up by Fette who asked for an amendment to add the word "allied" to the resolution after "LGBTQ." The amendment passed by a voice vote. The resolution resolved that ASUN "celebrates the contributions of LGBTQA students, faculty and staff this October, as recognized by LGBTQA History Month," and encourages students, faculty and staff to attend LGBTQA History Month Events as outlined at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln LGBTQA Web site.
When discussion opened Nathan Derenge, a junior business administration major on the Committee for Fees Allocation addressed his concern for the bill.
"It doesn't go along with the values I hold," Derenge said. "I don't think (the bill) is necessary."
Other members then spoke their views. Justin Solomon, a junior senator from the College of Education and Human Sciences and Academic Chair, said that promoting diversity was what they were supposed to do as a university, while Matt Kelly, a junior biochemistry major and Communications Committee Chair, argued that while he isn't opposed on personal values, he did wonder what message the resolution would send.
"The fact is, there are people who might be opposed on a religious or spiritual level," Kelly said.
Fette said that he was "very sensitive" to the students who think that it is problematic, and added that he was not asking students to change their beliefs.
"By having LGBTQA Month, we are not stripping away anyone's beliefs," Fette said. "This is a step in ending some injustices by having these conversations."
The resolution was passed by a roll-call vote.
The members also approved the Senate bill for Academic Fee Advisory Committee Bylaws and Procedures by voice vote. The bill approves the documents within the bylaws and procedures for the 2009-2010 academic year.
THE SHIRT Ad Hoc Committee bill was also passed by a voice vote, which creates THE SHIRT ad-hoc committee of 4-7 voting members chosen by Campus Life and a current Campus Life members to chair the committee. The bill states that "a bigger and better shirt program will bring in more dollars," to fund the NU on Wheels program, which provides free cab rides for UNL students.
The other resolution passed resolved that ASUN supports Open Access Week, which is Oct. 19-23, and encourages students, faculty and staff to participate in activities relating to Open Access Week. Open Access literature is digital and free of charge, and the events of the week are to provide information about the journals that are available on Open Access, according to Clarissa Steele, a survey research and methodology graduate student and Academic Chair.
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Thanks ASUN.