2008 Woodie Awards
Debate ends in OK of socialist, anti-sweatshop organizations
Sean J. Jordan
Issue date: 9/25/07 Section: News
More than 20 students wearing red shirts packed the Goshen Lounge of the Morris University Center Friday in support of the approval of two new student organizations, Youth for International Socialism and the United Students Against Sweatshops.
But the debate as to whether the Student Senate should grant the groups student organization status was heated as two students - Ryan Watson and Derek Shashek - addressed the Senate in opposition.
Graduate student Josh Lucker explained the purpose of the group.
"We strive to educate the student body and the community about the evils of capitalism, which include war, racism, sexism, homophobia, unemployment, among many others," Lucker said. "But more than that, we want to provide students with an organization where they can discuss, debate and advocate alternatives to the existing system of inequality."
He said the group supports socialized healthcare - including access to abortion - and free and equal access to education up to the university level. He also said that the group seeks to help the environment and to end discrimination in the workplace, particularly against women.
"People are looking for an alternative," he said. "YFIS campaigns for a labor-based alternative to existing political campaigns. It should be noted here that since no such party currently exists, we will not be supporting any candidates in the foreseeable future."
Although he understood the controversial nature of the group, he assured the Senate that the group would follow all of the rules placed on student organizations and that its primary purpose was to educate students about alternative forms of government, not to incite violence.
After the speech was a brief question and answer session. Student Body Vice President Dominique Majors allowed Ryan Watson to take a seat next to Lucker and present his opposing statement.
Watson is a member of the Student Government's Student Organization Advisory Board and the Finance Board. He said he was not addressing the Senate as a member of student government, but rather, as a student with concerns about this group operating on campus.
But the debate as to whether the Student Senate should grant the groups student organization status was heated as two students - Ryan Watson and Derek Shashek - addressed the Senate in opposition.
Graduate student Josh Lucker explained the purpose of the group.
"We strive to educate the student body and the community about the evils of capitalism, which include war, racism, sexism, homophobia, unemployment, among many others," Lucker said. "But more than that, we want to provide students with an organization where they can discuss, debate and advocate alternatives to the existing system of inequality."
He said the group supports socialized healthcare - including access to abortion - and free and equal access to education up to the university level. He also said that the group seeks to help the environment and to end discrimination in the workplace, particularly against women.
"People are looking for an alternative," he said. "YFIS campaigns for a labor-based alternative to existing political campaigns. It should be noted here that since no such party currently exists, we will not be supporting any candidates in the foreseeable future."
Although he understood the controversial nature of the group, he assured the Senate that the group would follow all of the rules placed on student organizations and that its primary purpose was to educate students about alternative forms of government, not to incite violence.
After the speech was a brief question and answer session. Student Body Vice President Dominique Majors allowed Ryan Watson to take a seat next to Lucker and present his opposing statement.
Watson is a member of the Student Government's Student Organization Advisory Board and the Finance Board. He said he was not addressing the Senate as a member of student government, but rather, as a student with concerns about this group operating on campus.
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