The second meeting of the Student Senate addressed bills that reacted to the “Homosexuality and Christianity: A New Conversation” event being held in Talley Student Union at the same time, recommended changes in representation for the Association of Student Governments delegations and added Senate seats for graduate students and students within Poole College of Management.
First up was the bill recommending to ASG that the delegation be more proportional to the size of the student body by adding giving one more delegate, an increase to five, to the largest schools in ASG. The bill was hotly debated, with concerns expressed by many senators that the bill would take away from Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ and minority-serving institutions’ representation in ASG.
Sen. Zach Lentz, a graduate student studying biological and agricultural engineering, argued for the bill, saying that minority-serving institutions could benefit from the presence of strong leadership from NC State.
Sen. Morgan Travis, a senior studying applied nutrition, expressed concerns about the message passing the bill would send to ASG.
“I think we’re getting caught up in the language,” Travis said.
Travis also said she reached out to North Carolina Central University students to ask about their feelings about the bill, and that the bill had their support.
“I do not believe minority institutions are represented in ASG,” said Priya Loganathar, a junior studying biomedical engineering, and one of NC State’s ASG delegates.
The student body leadership expressed concern about how the bill would impact HBCUs and reflect on NC State’s image in ASG.
“In my opinion, this would dwindle the voice [of HBCUs],” said Student Vice President Brayndon Stafford, a senior studying environmental sciences, echoing these concerns.
Student Body President Paul Nolan, a senior studying materials science and engineering, also expressed his opposition to the bill, citing concerns about vagueness in language and consequences it would have on NC State’s rapport with ASG.
“I cannot advocate for this bill if passed,” Nolan said.
The bill failed, 17-27.
Another bill was passed unanimously that adds four seats (up to 12) to the Graduate and Lifelong Education delegation. An amendment to give one more seat to the Poole College of Management delegation was passed unanimously, as well.
Among the last bills debated was Resolution 78, brought before the Senate in reaction to the “Homosexuality and Christianity: A New Conversation” event organized by the NC State Colonial College group and led by Brady Cone, a preacher. The resolution is an act of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, and also formally condemns certain sentiments against members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“The NC State Student Senate condemns actions and events meant to perpetuate the idea that members of the LGBT Community are inherently flawed due to inextricable aspects of their identity,” read the resolution.
The resolution was fast-tracked, as the event was being held elsewhere in Talley at the same time. Two senators opposed the fast-track. The bill was hotly debated, with the debate queue filling up both for and against.
Sen. Coleman Simpson, a junior studying agricultural education, a sponsor of the bill, expressed his displeasure with the event.
“As someone who identifies as part of the LGBT community, I didn’t really appreciate the event,” Simpson said.
Sen. Hampton Clark, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, expressed concern that the bill would be exclusive toward a part of the NC State community.
“I think that this bill, while seeking to show inclusion to the LGBT community, is also excluding another part of our community,” Clark said.
Sen. JT Klimek, a junior studying statistics, cited Barack Obama’s previous stance opposing same-sex marriage. He also pointed out Cone’s orientation:
“Brady Cone is himself gay, but chooses to not live a homosexual lifestyle,” Klimek said.
Some senators were concerned that the bill was targeting one group while showing support for another.
“If we pass this resolution, we are targeting one specific group,” said Senator Tyler Huffman, a senior studying physics. “We are trying to restrain the speech of this organization.”
A movement was made to recommit the bill to committee, but failed.
An amendment was proposed by Haley Lohr, a senior studying policy and administration, to strike clauses from the bill specifically targeting the Colonial College group and Brady Cone. The amendment was still being debated as another motion was passed to table the bill to next session. This tabling motion passed 28-19.
The Senate meeting also included addresses from staff and leadership around NC State, including Richard Linton, the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Linton spoke about the new Plant Sciences Initiative, a program seeking to address challenges facing agriculture today. Among the initiative’s goals are to build NC State’s plant science connections.
“The second goal is to be able to enhance partnerships; work better with industry; work better with government,” Linton said.
The hub of the initiative will be located just north of the Golden LEAF BTEC building on Centennial Campus. Construction of the building is being funded by the Connect NC Bond, and completion is planned for 2021.
“It will be the largest building in the UNC school system,” Linton said.
*Editor’s Note (02.20.2017): The author of this article has a close personal relationship with a member of the executive branch of Student Government and will not cover related topics in the future as per the Student Media Code of Ethics.
