Governing association to support walkout
RCGA passes resolution in favor of Universitywide
Rasheeda Williams / Correspondent
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: Page One
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By Rasheeda Williams
Correspondent
A resolution passed Tuesday in support of the "Great Rutgers Walkout" - a demonstration of student opposition to the war in Iraq - sparked discussion as to whether the Rutgers College Governing Association should suggest preference toward a particular political party.
RCGA Rep. Erik Straub, a sophomore, felt it was the group's responsibility to become involved in the walkout.
"I do think that the way the bill is put together is devaluing the political importance of the RCGA," Straub said. "If the RCGA can't be represented in [student] opinion then it limits our importance."
Straub said there is a Universitywide support for the upcoming event. Several hundred people already confirmed attendance in an online group. Straub also said some University professors may leave classes along with their students to attend.
RCGA President Dave Cole, a senior, addressed concern among the governing association that the resolution may give the perception all body members are against the war. RCGA was not, in fact, unanimous on the decision.
"I think this bill largely speaks for itself," Cole said. "We're supporting the event, which is to protest the war. I don't want this to come off as offensive to anyone on the body. Our opinion is not unanimous. I don't want anyone to think that it is."
On the other hand, Livingston College Governing Association Rep. Peter Mitchell, a senior, said the LCGA did not discuss the event and believed all University governing associations should avoid exhibiting any political bias.
"I think that it's taking a political stance on an issue, and I don't think that any GA should be taking a political stance on any issue that's so widely debated," Mitchell said. "I think some Rutgers students may be offended by this issue because they may support Bush and they may support the war."
Students are invited to forego their classes the Tuesday after spring break for the walkout to express opposition towards the United States interference in Iraq.
The walkout will mark the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War and will be centered in the Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue campus.
The demonstration will host guests impacted by the war with University affiliations, including Gold Star Mothers Against the War Co-founder Sue Neiderer, mother of Seth Dvorin, a University alumnus killed in the war. The event will also feature University alumnus Chad Ketman, a member of the group, Iraq Veterans Against the War.
The walkout will be held at 1:30 p.m. March 20 at the Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue campus.
Several student organizations have already announced their support of the demonstration, including Tent State University, Belief Awareness Knowledge and Activism, Latino Student Council and others.
Correspondent
A resolution passed Tuesday in support of the "Great Rutgers Walkout" - a demonstration of student opposition to the war in Iraq - sparked discussion as to whether the Rutgers College Governing Association should suggest preference toward a particular political party.
RCGA Rep. Erik Straub, a sophomore, felt it was the group's responsibility to become involved in the walkout.
"I do think that the way the bill is put together is devaluing the political importance of the RCGA," Straub said. "If the RCGA can't be represented in [student] opinion then it limits our importance."
Straub said there is a Universitywide support for the upcoming event. Several hundred people already confirmed attendance in an online group. Straub also said some University professors may leave classes along with their students to attend.
RCGA President Dave Cole, a senior, addressed concern among the governing association that the resolution may give the perception all body members are against the war. RCGA was not, in fact, unanimous on the decision.
"I think this bill largely speaks for itself," Cole said. "We're supporting the event, which is to protest the war. I don't want this to come off as offensive to anyone on the body. Our opinion is not unanimous. I don't want anyone to think that it is."
On the other hand, Livingston College Governing Association Rep. Peter Mitchell, a senior, said the LCGA did not discuss the event and believed all University governing associations should avoid exhibiting any political bias.
"I think that it's taking a political stance on an issue, and I don't think that any GA should be taking a political stance on any issue that's so widely debated," Mitchell said. "I think some Rutgers students may be offended by this issue because they may support Bush and they may support the war."
Students are invited to forego their classes the Tuesday after spring break for the walkout to express opposition towards the United States interference in Iraq.
The walkout will mark the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War and will be centered in the Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue campus.
The demonstration will host guests impacted by the war with University affiliations, including Gold Star Mothers Against the War Co-founder Sue Neiderer, mother of Seth Dvorin, a University alumnus killed in the war. The event will also feature University alumnus Chad Ketman, a member of the group, Iraq Veterans Against the War.
The walkout will be held at 1:30 p.m. March 20 at the Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue campus.
Several student organizations have already announced their support of the demonstration, including Tent State University, Belief Awareness Knowledge and Activism, Latino Student Council and others.