by Bryan Gibel
Daily Lobo
GPSA passed an anti-discrimination resolution Tuesday, but it cut more than half the original bill.
GPSA president Joseph Garcia said the resolution had been stripped of its teeth after almost three hours of debate, but it still tackles important issues on campus.
"This isn't happening at ASUNM, Staff Council or Faculty Senate," Garcia said. "We're taking a leadership position with the work we're doing and the resolutions we're passing."
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The original resolution called for the creation of a student, staff and faculty committee to prevent and respond to hate crimes on campus, but that was taken out of the bill.
Instead, the association added an amendment stating GPSA will sponsor forums and workshops to promote tolerance at UNM.
Rep. Jason Thomas said the resolution was better as amended.
GPSA should use its resources to deal with discrimination instead of relying on a committee connected to UNM's administration, Thomas said.
"It seems like we want stuff to happen, and we're asking for all this stuff," he said. "We should put our money where our mouth is and do something. I'd like to see us commit ourselves as GPSA, as well."
The original resolution also called on GPSA to help define University policy on hate crimes and discriminatory speech, but that wording was removed.
Representatives can present a resolution dealing with hate crimes at the next GPSA meeting Nov. 3, GPSA council chairwoman Melanie Armstrong said.
Rep. Gene Henley said the anti-discrimination resolution should avoid mentioning hate crimes because that could lead to banning intolerant speech, which could suppress freedom of expression.
"From a philosophical point of view, one should not be punished for their thoughts or beliefs," Henley said. "No matter how offensive the speech, no matter how vulgar or disgusting it is - to me, it's protected."
Rep. Lucinda Grinnell said allowing racist viewpoints to be expressed harms the learning environment on campus.
"While I believe in free speech, I don't think the University can be a respectful, productive place when hateful speech is permitted," she said.
Tuesday's meeting was a continuation of GPSA's Oct. 6 meeting.
The association reconvened because it didn't have time to vote on the resolution at the first meeting.
Debate during the special session lasted almost three hours and was often heated.
Hate crimes, discrimination and diversity have been a major part of GPSA's agenda this semester.
The association passed a resolution Oct. 6 demanding the University to increase recruitment and retention of minorities among students and faculty.
GPSA will also review the report of the provost's Hate Crimes Task Force at a meeting where students who aren't in the organization can participate.
The report, issued in January, called for a Campus Climate Office with a $240,000 annual budget to prevent and resolve issues of intolerance on campus.
Garcia said he will name the time and place of the meeting, but nothing has been announced.
