Senate
offers war support
By Brian Brannon
On-line Forty-Niner
As
United States and British war planes prepared
to attack Iraq, Associated Students Inc.
President Danny Vivian told the Senate Wednesday
of plans to provide information and comfort
to students impacted by the war.
To counteract a feeling of division that
has manifested on campus as war loomed closer,
Vivian said it is important that the Senate
works to bring students together without
taking sides.
“It’s important that we’re responsible in
how we hand information out,” Vivian said.
He proposed setting up a room in the University
Student Union to allow students to watch
CNN and Fox News to stay up on current developments.
Vivian also suggested the Senate speak with
Counseling and Psychological Services to
see if a counselor could be available in
the room to help students deal with issues
relating to the war.
A.S.I. Vice President Shahrokh Sheik supported
the idea, saying it would provide an important
service to CSULB students.
Many students have friends or family members
that are currently serving overseas in support
of the conflict.
“This affects all of us,” Vivian said.
In addition, Vivian said he would like to
see the school hold a peace vigil, not to
express sentiment for or against the war
but to show support for the victims of the
conflict, including the Iraqi people and
American military personnel.
Dean of Students Mike Hostetler told the
Senate that there is always a counselor
on call in Counseling and Psychological
Services, and suggested senators refer in
need of assistance to that office.
He said the Muslim Student Association had
planned to hold an Islamic Awareness Week
next week on campus. He said the group decided
to go forward with those plans despite the
situation in Iraq, partially due to the
spirit of tolerance and equality that exists
on the campus.
“They feel very safe here on this campus
and we should be very proud of that,” he
said.
However, Hostetler expressed concern that
outsiders might come to the university to
express anti-Islamic sentiment during the
event.
He said University Police would be present
and encouraged senators to attend and show
their support as well.
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