Get Recruiters Outta Here!

Many of the resolutions I have introduced in the Senate have actually originated (read: been stolen) from other sources, where I say 'hey, what a great idea' and import the solution to our fair college. Unfortunately, this hasn't extended to a Reed College-style Ren-Faire (yet), but the practice of imported policy has made our school a PATRIOT-Act resistant zone of sorts.

The latest news gaining both my attention and support is a move by the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University to ban military recruiters from tabling in the Student Union Building or at job fairs sponsored by the college. The logic behind the ban argues that the practice of the United States Armed Forces to discriminate against non-heterosexuals discords with ASSOU's non-discrimination policy.

Well, folks, ASWC also has a non-discrimination policy (that's why the Christian Fellowship gets no funding), and I intend to introduce similar legislation forbidding the presence of military recruiters from Reid Campus Center (although they have very tough luck there already). This bill should also extend to such groups as the Boy Scouts of America, which has a similar discriminatory practice.

The only problem I can anticipate this early for the effectiveness of the legislation is the gradual drift of authority over the Campus Center that has waned student and waxed faculty and staff ever since the introduction of the Reid Campus Center (as opposed to the former Student Union). This resolution, therefore, would probably occur concurrently with another resolution that would grant more student control and input over the administration of Reid. I have yet to read the relevant texts about public space relating to student activism, but then again I have many bus rides left in the summer, so I'll keep you all posted.