UT Knoxville Student Senate Votes Against House Resolution

[chadbuddy]

SGA Senate meeting sparks gun debate

Kyle Turner -

Thursday, March 04, 2010 issue

Heated debate ensued at the latest SGA Senate meeting in response to resolution 04-10, expressing student opposition to weapons on campus. The SGA resolution is in reply to a proposed resolution before the Tennessee legislature that would allow those with required permits the right to keep a secured firearm in their locked car on campus property.

UT administration is currently opposed to allowing guns on campus in any fashion, Ross Rowland, sophomore in exercise science and co-sponsor of the resolution, said. “We are not trying to strip away anyone’s rights but instead offer safety and piece of mind in a place of higher learning,” Rowland said.

Contention with the resolution was expressed by arguably the largest showing of students this year who are not serving as senators. “The problem is not the law-abiding citizens,” Ceallach Scott, senior in political science, said. “Disallowing me to legally have a gun on campus is unconscionable seeing that the university is doing nothing to actively stop those who currently do (carry guns).”

Scott expressed the notion that UT lacks safeguards such as metal detectors and classroom searches to eliminate those unlawfully possessing weapons while on campus. Scott said being allowed to have a gun safely contained within her car on campus is seen as “a personal insult to myself and those who deemed me qualified.” Motions were proposed regarding parliamentary procedures in an unsuccessful move to what some saw as silencing those in opposition.

SGA senator Derrik Smith, junior in physics, was commended for his motion to allow visitors to speak during debate. Otherwise visitors are not allowed to speak unless yielded time by a senator. Some students expressed displeasure with the current policy, noting that not being able to keep a gun in their car on campus is not just an issue solely while at school.

Those who wish to carry a gun in their vehicle are forced to park in off-campus lots. If students park on campus, they have to sacrifice their peace of mind while traveling home and at any stops that may ensue. “Not allowing qualified people to have a gun on campus will not equal less crime,” Kenneth Boone, junior in political science, said. “The least it will do is embolden criminals and hamper those who abide by the rules.”

Students in opposition felt unrepresented and attended the meeting to make their views known to a senate that some feel is out of touch with student opinion. Todd Skelton, commuter senator and senior in the College Scholars Program, made it a point to reach out to his constituency. “I had the chance to talk with several commuter students who had mixed feelings about the issue,” Skelton said. “I am all for Second Amendment rights but at the same time very concerned with campus safety.”

Skelton noted that many of his constituents were concerned with that delicate balance as well.

After spirited debate and what some say is a prime example of student engagement, the resolution was passed with 23 voting in the affirmative, eight against and nine abstentions. Other business of the senate included the passage of the bicycle registration program proposed by senators Todd Skelton and Courtney Sharp. Skelton said the bike program would be similar to “Operation ID” by allowing students to register their bicycle for greater convenience. “The benefits include potentially deterring theft and also providing a way to claim your property,” Skelton said. “It is also promoting green campus initiatives and serves as a valuable resource for students who ride their bicycles.”

The Daily Beacon

[Currently]

Why am I not surprised?

Students in opposition felt unrepresented and attended the meeting to make their views known to a senate that some feel is out of touch with student opinion.

I was in my thirties when I attended the university. To this day I still cannot believe the dysfunctionality and attitudes I encountered at that place. What very little liberalistic views I had at the time were totally and completely quashed and destroyed after encountering some of the most idiotic and illogical views being passed as truth and fact.

Tenure is over-rated and IMHO should be abolished.

Many students are influenced and graded for conformity rather than a contrarian stance against the teachings. It was sad seeing many of these kids just spout off some regurgitations from some professor as fact without looking at the entire picture and making up their own minds.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Currently

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

Ross Rowland, sophomore in exercise science and co-sponsor of the resolution, said. “We are not trying to strip away anyone’s rights but instead offer safety and piece of mind in a place of higher learning,” Rowland said.

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Sounds like Mr. Rowland has yet to take an American History class......

[9teeneleven]

Why am I not surprised?

I was in my thirties when I attended the university. To this day I still cannot believe the dysfunctionality and attitudes I encountered at that place. What very little liberalistic views I had at the time were totally and completely quashed and destroyed after encountering some of the most idiotic and illogical views being passed as truth and fact.

Tenure is over-rated and IMHO should be abolished.

Many students are influenced and graded for conformity rather than a contrarian stance against the teachings. It was sad seeing many of these kids just spout off some regurgitations from some professor as fact without looking at the entire picture and making up their own minds.

Your post uses exactly the same logic as those opposed to allowing carry and second amendment rights: that because there are some who abuse a right, it should be abolished.

[macville]

Your post uses exactly the same logic as those opposed to allowing carry and second amendment rights: that because there are some who abuse a right, it should be abolished.

Except that tenure is NOT a right. So the logic is not the same.

Matthew

[9teeneleven]

Except that tenure is NOT a right. So the logic is not the same.

Matthew

Actually it is, just not a constitutional right. It is a right written into most college by-laws and constitutions. But, the logic is even closer than you may realize. No it is not a constitutional right and thus not directly related to the political system. However, it is a recognized privilege and immunity of the free academic system. Again, it is not unlike the Bill Rights. Both the 2nd and tenure are immunities and privileges necessary to protect rights and freedoms within their respective systems.

Seems like I am always defending tenure on here (and elsewhere), but it seems like it is regularly under attack. Not trying to derail. Seems to me like these issues might get further on campuses if they were presented in terms that academics and students recognize.

Edited March 9, 2010 by 9teeneleven

[Guest Dean Wormer]

Seems like I am always defending tenure on here (and elsewhere), but it seems like it is regularly under attack. Not trying to derail. Seems to me like these issues might get further on campuses if they were presented in terms that academics and students recognize.

I'm with you on defending tenure, and I am suprised that more people, especially here are not, tenure works both ways, for instance, right wing and/or pro-gun (one does not need to be both) professors to exist (I had a couple, needless to say without tenure they would have been drummed out).

[Worriedman]

Seems like I am always defending tenure on here (and elsewhere), but it seems like it is regularly under attack. Not trying to derail. Seems to me like these issues might get further on campuses if they were presented in terms that academics and students recognize.

I think that is because Tennessee is an "At will" state, and most professions have no protection for jobs such as this. In fact, teaching is the sole entity that enjoys this situation.