Group demands apology

A campus student organization criticized the Associated Students Senate for considering a resolution opposing Proposition 22, but several senators shot back against the complaint Wednesday.

Calling the proposition discriminatory and in conflict with the nation's civil rights movements, the controversial resolution formally opposed the recently passed initiative, which denies recognition of same-sex marriage in California.

In a letter to senators dated March 20, the Cal State Long Beach College Republicans demanded "a complete apology on behalf of the minority community on campus, specifically the African-American community, for equating their struggles for racial equality and civil rights to those of homosexuals."

The A.S. Senate refused to apologize and called upon the College Republicans to attend A.S. Senate meetings.

"I'm an African American and I don't feel like we offended anyone so I won't apologize," said College of the Arts Sen. Erica McIntosh. "If they're so concerned, they should come to the meetings to see what it's all about."

Another senator agreed.

"I will never apologize for protecting the interests and civil rights of students," said College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Sen. Rebecca Roberts, who co-authored the resolution.

College of Liberal Arts Sen. Jose Ayala simply tore up the letter in front of the senators.

"I'm not even going to think twice," Ayala said. "If you want to come talk to me, I'm right here."

The letter, signed by past College Republicans Chairman John M. Haney, chided the A.S. Senate for taking up an "esoteric cause" instead of concentrating on student interests, which the letter defined as those "that directly affect their academic career and success."

The letter also requested that the Senate dismiss the resolution and that individual votes cast on the resolution by each Senate member be made public.

It is not clear why the group requested that the resolution be dismissed because the A.S. Senate did not pass the resolution at its Feb. 23 meeting. The Senate voted, 10-1, but needed 11 votes to endorse the item.

The group also called the Senate "misguided" in considering the proposition because members lack an "educational background in law and public policy," a student mandate to act on their behalf or a "vital and influential role to play" in the decision and outcome of the proposition.

Sen.-at-Large Aaron Moore said the Senate's action opened up campus awareness and discussion of the issue and led him to seriously consider what responsibilities senators have.

"For them to say we should apologize to the minorities on campus for likening one civil rights movement to another is absurd," said Sen.-at-Large Aaron Moore, the resolution's other co-author. "I have nothing to apologize for. I think we absolutely did our job and I'm very proud of what we did. We took it on because we knew it affected students."

Sen.-at-Large Allyson Little questioned the racial implications of the letter.

"Do they know how African Americans on the board voted?" Little exclaimed. "If they want to know who voted on what, they should come to the meetings and see."

Senate Chairwomen Sheryl Mauricio planned to draft a response letter, thanking the student group for its interest in Senate proceedings and inviting it to attend Senate meetings.

"Students have a right to express themselves on everything that comes up in the Senate," Mauricio said. " I appreciate it. But I don't think we should feel we have to apologize. The resolution did come from students and they have the opportunity to take up any issue that affects them."

The College Republicans asked that a moratorium "on all Associated Student Senate resolutions mimicking external political events be in place to preserve the integrity of our campus and our students."

One senator emphasized the importance of addressing issues coming from off campus.

"Student organizations have always taken a stand on external political issues," said College of Engineering Sen. Jonas English. "CSULB is not a bubble. We don't live within walls."

"If it weren't for the students and collective Associated Student senates at college campuses across the United States we might still be fighting the Vietnam war," said Lee Vail, Senate faculty advisor. "To have a political organization like the College Republicans tell a college student senate that they shouldn't get involved in politics absolutely goes against what a college environment is all about."