After hearing faculty’s frustrations and seeing the University of Idaho in the news the past few weeks, ASUI passed a resolution against the No Public Funds for Abortion Act. This all comes after a memo that was sent out by UI’s General Council, as well as a follow-up by President Scott Green.
ASUI President Tanner McClain spoke on his support of the resolution.
“A university is not a safe space, it is a space to be confronted by challenging and sensitive topics. This is the only way to learn and grow,” McClain said. “A university is a free marketplace of ideas is the best way to rise to the top.”
McClain said that the ability to discuss topics of abortion is improtant to be able to have these discussion.
“I always advocate for the pro-life movement, if I am to succeed in changing the minds of people who are pro-choice,” McClain said. “I must first understand their argument, that is only possible through the methods and processes I have mentioned above.”
Earlier in the day, UI sent out an email to students and faculty about the memo, but this did not change the message of the original memo.
“This was just a clarification email and I think that’s there nothing new has come of this and it’s still in the state legislature,” Sen. Owen Crowley said. “Everything is the same the University and we should want to be able to give all resources need for our students and this is taking away that availability.”
Crowely said that the university needs to stand up for their employees and students regarding the discussion of important topics.
“The Idaho State Legislature needs to stop running away from a top political issues and learn that it’s possible to have a real civil conversation about these kinds of topics,” Crowley said.
Senate Pro Tempor Martha Smith supported the clarification mem, but still demanded for clarification from the state legislature.
“Specifically number three that reads, ‘there are no changes to our academic freedom policy, the university sports faculty leading discussions on any related educational topic within the classroom,’” Smith said. “Although the university has made strides to clarify the situation, we are still calling on the legislature to clarify the situation.”
Katie Hettinga, director of social action, leadership coordinator for DSI, helped to co-write the resolution said that the clarification email does not change their call for action
“Today staff members feel affected at their jobs. These emotions and these experiences matter, and we should value these pieces of the argument just as much as the constitutional arguments and concerns for free speech on campus,” Hettinga said.
Daniel V. Ramirez can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @DVR_Tweets
Amy
My body, my business
Audrey
"in support of faculty"... Faculty may not be able to *discuss* the issue freely, but students, who generally have no income and limited resources, are the ones whose life can be turned upside down by a pregnancy