ASUI introduced a slew of bills and resolutions Wednesday addressing a range of topics including the Moscow mayoral race and the current campus mask mandate.
Following a busy midterm week, ASUI returned to present a variety of bills and resolutions for comment prior to voting next week. Among the newly introduced legislation, ASUI responded to recent comments made by mayoral candidates regarding the UI student body and discussed the merits of maintaining a university-wide mask mandate.
Mayoral race
ASUI sought to reiterate the importance of students to the Moscow community in a proposed resolution.
The resolution comes after comments made during the Moscow Chamber of Commerce’s Mayoral Candidate Forum. The resolution specifically took issue with mayoral candidate Jim Gray and his portrayal of students.
“A lot of the students who I have interacted with, and I have interacted with quite a few over the years, they have issues with authority,” Gray said at the forum. “They have issues with holding a job, they have issues thinking they should have something just because they want it. That’s been an issue with me as far as university students are concerned.”
ASUI’s resolution contrasted Gray’s comments with those made by Olivia Moses and her defense of the UI student body.
“These are not kids, these are grown adults starting at 18 years old that are working members of the community working one to three jobs,” Moses said. “They are not just mommy and daddy’s money, they are not just the occasional vote.”
ASUI Director of Legislative Affairs Lydia McRoberts, who authored the resolution, characterized Gray’s comments as “blatantly offensive” and suggested the mayoral candidate speak to current students to gain a fuller perspective of the Moscow student body.
UI’s mask mandate
A resolution calling for the removal of UI’s mask mandate was also introduced Wednesday. The resolution specifically names UI President Scott Green to remove the mandate and presents a Nov. 1 deadline for the mandate’s removal in all university buildings.
The resolution attributed the diminished conversational ability to the mask mandate, adding that the effectiveness of instruction during the pandemic has suffered as a result. Social concerns were also cited in the resolution, alleging that the mask mandate has isolated students from making friends and socializing.
There was significant debate among senators as they highlighted how they have been personally affected by COVID-19, addressed student responses to the mask mandates and rationalized weighing the values of personal liberty and public health.
Sen. Lydia McRoberts cited a loss in her extended family to underline the importance of the campus mask mandate.
“Elmer was a tall man… He bowled at the local bowling alley and loved his kids and showed up for all his grandkids sporting events… He battled health issues but took care of himself as best he could,” McRoberts said. “He was vaccinated against COVID-19, but you’ll notice I have spoken of him in the past tense. Elmer passed away from COVID-19 after being vaccinated because of community transmission. We’re not just talking about your right to not wear a mask; we’re talking about many people’s right to life.”
Sen. Tanner McClain, who noted the loss of his own grandmother to COVID-19, offered support for the resolution and the individual’s right to choose.
“Last year, students were faced with problems of isolation, loneliness and depression that were due to the social distancing and masking policies caused by the pandemic,” McClain said, adding that people should have the ability to take upon the risks of being unvaccinated and unmasked in accordance with their beliefs.
“It should be their own decision, not Scott Green’s, not ASUI’s and certainly not the university’s,” McClain said.
Vice President Katelyn Hettinga said that the removal of a mask mandate would be unwise, especially in a state who has not complied with safety standards since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“We do not have adequate compliance,” Hettinga said. “We were told 15 days to stop the spread and people did not quarantine for two weeks. We were told to wear masks and our professors were forced to enforce masks in the classroom if they feel comfortable because we don’t have adequate staff to enforce indoor mask building rules. We were told to get vaccinated, and our governor outlawed vaccine mandates and our senate body refused to pass a resolution asking for Gov. Little (to rescind the order). We cannot look at all of these past requirements and then ask for less requirements to end the pandemic when the pandemic is still going on.”
Royce McCandless can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @roycemccandless
Megan
Thank you Katelyn! Why would we stop preventative measures (like masking) when there are no other precautions in our state? Isolation and loneliness are difficult, but you'd only be more isolated and lonely when sick at home or in a hospital across the country. Moreover, how many times do we need to say that masking and getting vaccinated isn't just about you, it's about keeping those around you safe? What will it take for Sen. Tanner McClain to get it?