Get it right: GSA not 'ushered' into Classical Liberals
Headline clarified, explained
Gennady Stolyarov II
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Opinion
The headline of the April 2, 2009, Hillsdale Collegian article, "Gay-straight alliance ushered into Classical Liberal Organization" is liable to give false impressions to certain parties about the actual nature and course of events.
First, the article's headline was misleading in using the past tense in the word "ushered," suggesting that a definitive decision had already been made. In fact, no vote had been finalized or even begun at the time the article was published.
The original resolution that was being voted on stated only the following: "The Gay-Straight Alliance Committee is hereby formed under the auspices of the Classical Liberal Organization (CLO)." At the time the resolution was introduced, the majority of the CLO membership was not aware that the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a national organization with its own clearly defined mission and rules. It was never the intention of anyone in the CLO to affiliate the group with any organization external to Hillsdale College.
Therefore, a new resolution has been approved by the members of the CLO, which states the following: "The name of the Gay-Straight Alliance Committee (GSA Committee) is hereby changed to Committee for the Discussion of Gay-Straight Issues (CDGSI)." The formation and activities of this committee will be implemented fully within the organizational structure and under the oversight of the CLO. None of the CLO's mechanisms or purposes would be altered by the passage of this measure. Indeed, all a CDGSI would do is organize presentations on the issues of gay rights and social tolerance, which would have occurred within the CLO anyway. As such, the resolution is more of a formality and does not substantively alter the nature of our organization.
It is my judgment that the Collegian article - particularly in its headline - greatly exaggerated the significance of this vote in order to generate shock value. It was not the intention of the CLO or any of its officers and members to sneak any measure past the Student Federation; we are simply operating within the acceptable internal parameters of our group's structure, subject to our internal charter and by-laws. I would also like to note that in the document the CLO submitted to the Student Federation, the first sentence reads, "The purpose of the Hillsdale Classical Liberals is to support discourse on a wide range of issues, from, about and concerning the classically liberal mindset." The issue of equal and equitable legal treatment - the enforcement of individual rights - for a large number of individuals is surely within this "wide range of issues."
I request the understanding of everyone on this campus with regard to a measure that was not meant to inflame, deceive or substantively alter the situation within the CLO. All that the CDGSI would do is provide civil, publicly open discussion on subjects that, without the CLO, would have no forum for even being formally examined on the Hillsdale campus.
Senior Gennady Stolyarov II is the coordinator for the Hillsdale Classical Liberal Organization.
First, the article's headline was misleading in using the past tense in the word "ushered," suggesting that a definitive decision had already been made. In fact, no vote had been finalized or even begun at the time the article was published.
The original resolution that was being voted on stated only the following: "The Gay-Straight Alliance Committee is hereby formed under the auspices of the Classical Liberal Organization (CLO)." At the time the resolution was introduced, the majority of the CLO membership was not aware that the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a national organization with its own clearly defined mission and rules. It was never the intention of anyone in the CLO to affiliate the group with any organization external to Hillsdale College.
Therefore, a new resolution has been approved by the members of the CLO, which states the following: "The name of the Gay-Straight Alliance Committee (GSA Committee) is hereby changed to Committee for the Discussion of Gay-Straight Issues (CDGSI)." The formation and activities of this committee will be implemented fully within the organizational structure and under the oversight of the CLO. None of the CLO's mechanisms or purposes would be altered by the passage of this measure. Indeed, all a CDGSI would do is organize presentations on the issues of gay rights and social tolerance, which would have occurred within the CLO anyway. As such, the resolution is more of a formality and does not substantively alter the nature of our organization.
It is my judgment that the Collegian article - particularly in its headline - greatly exaggerated the significance of this vote in order to generate shock value. It was not the intention of the CLO or any of its officers and members to sneak any measure past the Student Federation; we are simply operating within the acceptable internal parameters of our group's structure, subject to our internal charter and by-laws. I would also like to note that in the document the CLO submitted to the Student Federation, the first sentence reads, "The purpose of the Hillsdale Classical Liberals is to support discourse on a wide range of issues, from, about and concerning the classically liberal mindset." The issue of equal and equitable legal treatment - the enforcement of individual rights - for a large number of individuals is surely within this "wide range of issues."
I request the understanding of everyone on this campus with regard to a measure that was not meant to inflame, deceive or substantively alter the situation within the CLO. All that the CDGSI would do is provide civil, publicly open discussion on subjects that, without the CLO, would have no forum for even being formally examined on the Hillsdale campus.
Senior Gennady Stolyarov II is the coordinator for the Hillsdale Classical Liberal Organization.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Don
posted 4/09/09 @ 3:33 PM EST
Will the Committee for the Discussion of Pedophilia Issues (CDPI) report before or after the Committee for the Discussion of Polygamy (CDP)? I recommend you shake up the order of reports at each meeting, lest someone start to feel marginalized. (Continued…)
Red L.
posted 9/26/09 @ 4:55 PM EST
Seriously, Don? It's not like these students are sitting around watching gay porn and discussing the practical applications of the Kama Sutra. Get your mind out of the gutter. (Continued…)
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