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Senate Log
Gray says RMS position should not be changed
by Harry Shipps
Staff writer
News | 4/21/09
Posted online at 7:28 AM EST on 4/21/09
The Union passed an Emergency Resolution stating the Senate's Position on the Office of Racial Minority Senator that read, "Be it resolved that the Union Senate strongly opposes deciding the questions raised by the existence of a RMS senator through a Judiciary case ... . It should be addressed by the people rather than the Judiciary."
Union President Jason Gray '10 also spoke to the Senate about the Racial Minority Senator issue. He said that, in his opinion, the position should not be changed or removed.
Gray added that he did not believe the issue should be under consideration by the Union Judiciary and that he was under the impression that any decision rendered by the UJ would only be a recommendation.
Executive Senator Andrew Brooks '09 opened the meeting to public communication, and several students gathered to speak about the RMS issue.
A majority of the students expressed similar concerns about the issue. Most believed that the RMS was essential to minority representation within the senate. Students also spoke about their misgivings about the way in which the issue was being addressed and expressed the general conviction that the position was essential to minority rights. Many also expressed their anger at the way the issue was being handled within the Student Union.
A few students spoke in defense of the case now before the UJ. They articulated the idea that, in their interpretation, the Student Union Constitution did not allow any elected office to be limited by race or other exclusionary qualification. They expressed their feelings that the Racial Minority Senator was inherently exclusionary and therefore unconstitutional.
Nathan Robinson '11 unofficially resigned as Castle Quad Senator.
Brooks also brought up the issue of scheduling a special session of the Student Union to swear in new members after the second round of elections.
Union President Jason Gray '10 also spoke to the Senate about the Racial Minority Senator issue. He said that, in his opinion, the position should not be changed or removed.
Gray added that he did not believe the issue should be under consideration by the Union Judiciary and that he was under the impression that any decision rendered by the UJ would only be a recommendation.
Executive Senator Andrew Brooks '09 opened the meeting to public communication, and several students gathered to speak about the RMS issue.
A majority of the students expressed similar concerns about the issue. Most believed that the RMS was essential to minority representation within the senate. Students also spoke about their misgivings about the way in which the issue was being addressed and expressed the general conviction that the position was essential to minority rights. Many also expressed their anger at the way the issue was being handled within the Student Union.
A few students spoke in defense of the case now before the UJ. They articulated the idea that, in their interpretation, the Student Union Constitution did not allow any elected office to be limited by race or other exclusionary qualification. They expressed their feelings that the Racial Minority Senator was inherently exclusionary and therefore unconstitutional.
Nathan Robinson '11 unofficially resigned as Castle Quad Senator.
Brooks also brought up the issue of scheduling a special session of the Student Union to swear in new members after the second round of elections.
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