2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Resolution passes, still split
Senate supports annual LGBTadvocate of the year award
Nicole Strittmater
Issue date: 5/8/08 Section: News
Tensions rose at Monday night's Student Senate meeting, as members debated for two hours the logistics of a resolution in support of an annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender advocate of the year award.
By a vote of 17-7-2 it passed, but members were split 12-13-1 on whether or not to include South Middle School health teacher Stephanie Rowe as an example in the resolution.
Rowe felt homosexuality should be a part of her curriculum and the school's administration supported her choice, according to the resolution. But upon negative reception, the administration dropped support.
"Stephanie Rowe fought for the importance of educating children about the LGBT community, and … the Eau Claire community is home to many individuals who actively fight for the LGBT equality," according to the resolution.
Most everyone agreed an annual award would strengthen the bond between the university and community to promote diversity.
"People have been ignoring the LGBT long enough," Sen. Samantha Lee said. "I just feel that ignoring LGBT rights is like ignoring diversity."
Finance commission director Tom Holtan agreed.
"Definitely it's going to help increase diversity. It's going to help us try to connect with the community," he said.
Sen. Jacob Kampen opposed the resolution, because he said he didn't think the community would appreciate it if Senate recognized Rowe.
"It's not our job to be doing something like this," he said. "It is taking a side in a debate that's between the parents and the school district."
Upset, Sen. Abou Amara said it most definitely is Senate's place.
"We have a role (as) elected officials to represent what is right and not what a majority of people feel is right," he said.
Sen. Leslie Ballantine called for an amendment to strike the example in the resolution.
Vice President Meghan Charlier supported the amendment. She said she supports LGBT and the resolution itself but had concerns, because the resolution said two things - Senate supports Rowe, and Senate supports an award; they need to be two separate pieces of legislation.
"I'm really frustrated. My concern is that a lot of us are voting … on our opinions on whether or not what happened is right," she said.
Student life and diversity commission
director Emily Mattheisen, author of the resolution, said an example is necessary to know why the award was created.
"Beyond the issues, we wanted to recognize her for what she did," she said.
Amara agreed.
"We named Zorn Arena after Mr. Zorn. We named Schofield after Mr. Schofield," he said. "It's necessary that it's in there. We want to create an award. We're not here to stand in the middle."
The example stayed in the resolution, and Mattheisen said she wants Rowe to be the first person honored.
By a vote of 17-7-2 it passed, but members were split 12-13-1 on whether or not to include South Middle School health teacher Stephanie Rowe as an example in the resolution.
Rowe felt homosexuality should be a part of her curriculum and the school's administration supported her choice, according to the resolution. But upon negative reception, the administration dropped support.
"Stephanie Rowe fought for the importance of educating children about the LGBT community, and … the Eau Claire community is home to many individuals who actively fight for the LGBT equality," according to the resolution.
Most everyone agreed an annual award would strengthen the bond between the university and community to promote diversity.
"People have been ignoring the LGBT long enough," Sen. Samantha Lee said. "I just feel that ignoring LGBT rights is like ignoring diversity."
Finance commission director Tom Holtan agreed.
"Definitely it's going to help increase diversity. It's going to help us try to connect with the community," he said.
Sen. Jacob Kampen opposed the resolution, because he said he didn't think the community would appreciate it if Senate recognized Rowe.
"It's not our job to be doing something like this," he said. "It is taking a side in a debate that's between the parents and the school district."
Upset, Sen. Abou Amara said it most definitely is Senate's place.
"We have a role (as) elected officials to represent what is right and not what a majority of people feel is right," he said.
Sen. Leslie Ballantine called for an amendment to strike the example in the resolution.
Vice President Meghan Charlier supported the amendment. She said she supports LGBT and the resolution itself but had concerns, because the resolution said two things - Senate supports Rowe, and Senate supports an award; they need to be two separate pieces of legislation.
"I'm really frustrated. My concern is that a lot of us are voting … on our opinions on whether or not what happened is right," she said.
Student life and diversity commission
director Emily Mattheisen, author of the resolution, said an example is necessary to know why the award was created.
"Beyond the issues, we wanted to recognize her for what she did," she said.
Amara agreed.
"We named Zorn Arena after Mr. Zorn. We named Schofield after Mr. Schofield," he said. "It's necessary that it's in there. We want to create an award. We're not here to stand in the middle."
The example stayed in the resolution, and Mattheisen said she wants Rowe to be the first person honored.
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