Senate passes Bill of Rights

The Student Government Association debated and passed the Student Bill of Rights during its meeting Tuesday, along with giving money to the Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity and JMU Council for Exceptional Children.

The Senate debated over whether the SGA was able to promise protection against discrimination toward student's sexual orientation, which is stated in Article II of the Student Bill of Rights.

"I was concerned there might be problems with already existing student rights and responsibilities," said sophomore Cory Winter, Huffman Hall senator. "The Bill of Rights outlines the beliefs of the SGA, though, and that takes some of the weight off [the Senate]. Sexual orientation is not protected by law but by policy.

"It's an expression rather than hardened policy," he added. "We still have the argument that [the bill] is already covered, and that we need to bring it to a higher level in student's rights and responsibilities."

Even though the Student's Rights and Responsibilities Handbook does not cover sexual orientation, many senators felt that passing the bill would show the administration how important protecting all student's rights was to the Senate. Senators also hoped to influence higher authorities so the Student Bill of Rights would be implemented into university policy.

"It takes a movement to right a wrong," said junior Ricardo Pineres, Ashby Hall senator. "It should be our statement that we believe in that notion. We have a chance to send a message to our faculty and state legislators.

"This Senate does not shy away from controversy as we've shown through emergency contraceptive pills and front-end budgeting and other issues. Why are we going to shy away now? We are empowered; we can make a statement. It says we stand up for every student at JMU … this Senate is ready to stand up for what is right," he added.

Another issue some senators had with the bill was whether or not the Senate could promise its enforcement for the student body because they have no control over punishing students that may discriminate against others.

"The point of a bill of rights is that it guarantees something to the people," said freshman Ryan Powell, freshman class president. "The SGA can't do that. It gives a false impression."

After two amendments that changed the wording of the bill slightly to help emphasize its statement of SGA belief, the bill was passed by a roll call vote with 53 senators for the bill, four senators against the bill and five senators abstained.

The bill had to be passed with a two-thirds majority. Pineres asked for the roll call vote so that students could see how their senators voted.

"This bill was two years in the making," said junior Tom Culligan, SGA chief of staff. "It's been through every possible checklist. It's surprising that the student Senate has more difficulty with this than the administration."

During the meeting, the SGA also unanimously voted to give $300 to Alpha Chi Sigma, a professional chemistry fraternity on campus. The fraternity asked for the money to send four members to Virginia Tech for its national conclave.

The SGA also unanimously voted to give $472.10 to the JMU Council for Exceptional Children so it could send 11 executive members to its national council in New Orleans. The group was given the money for the trip and for supplies for Disability Awareness Week and its bimonthly children's night.