Members of the Undergraduate Students Association Council will
walk out of their meeting tonight to show support for instituting a
diversity requirement, which aims to give students a more
comprehensive education on diversity issues.
Councilmembers will put off all but the most urgent business to
attend the commencement ceremony for a tent city, which will be
erected for three days to show support and make a stand for the
requirement.
“This has been a 17-year struggle. This is very important
to the students,” said Academic Affairs Commissioner Sophia
Kozak, who has been an active advocate and planner for the tent
city throughout the year.
USAC councilmembers believe it is time to make a loud statement
for the passage of the diversity requirement.
“We’ve been pushing it throughout the year. Now
it’s time to take action before any more time is
spent,” said Allende Palma/Saracho, internal vice president
and presidential candidate for 2004-2005.
“We’re walking out of this particular council
meeting … to make a stand not only in words but in
actions,” Kozak said.
The tent city is being put on by a coalition of students who
have united under a task force for the diversity requirement.
Councilmembers will be present at the commencement ceremony for
the tent city, which will include the lighting of 17 candles to
symbolize the 17-year struggle, and some will stay in the tent city
for the full three days.
But some councilmembers expressed concern that it may be
problematic to put USAC business on hold for a week.
“I was concerned that every week there are things we need
to take care of,” Financial Supports Commissioner Erica Husse
said, adding that there may be important resolutions, programs and
presentations that will have to be put off for a week.
Others said they believed it was necessary to walk out to show
the importance of the diversity requirement.
“It’s important, as council is the representative
body of the students, to make such a strong statement ““ no
business as usual until the university complies with the diversity
requirement,” Palma/Saracho said.
Students will camp out in the tent city continuously,
Palma/Saracho said, adding that he helped plan the event and will
stay there for three days.
Palma/Saracho said he did not feel comfortable disclosing the
location of the tent city because it has not yet been approved by
the administration.
Dean of Students Robert Naples also said he did not believe the
administration had made a decision on the location of the
event.
“My understanding is that we haven’t confirmed
anything. … I think the only concern right now is the
locations,” Naples said.
He added that the problem is not with the nature of the event
but with the logistics.
“Whatever stance we take is not really based on what the
purpose of the activity is,” Naples said, mentioning that his
primary concern is that the event does not interfere with the
campus’s needs.
“I don’t think it would be in their best interest to
do it without approval,” Naples said.
He cited the availability of restrooms and the timers on
sprinkler systems as problems that students might encounter if they
do not clear the event with the administration.
At this point, the tent city will commence with or without the
approval of the administration, Palma/Saracho said.
“We let them know that we want to work with them in
putting on this tent city, but it really has to happen soon,”
Palma/Saracho said.
He said he does not believe the students should have to wait
longer to take a stand on the diversity requirement.