ASUA Sen. Scott Rising wrote a resolution against gun legislation that would allow students and faculty to carry concealed weapons — one that stirred discussion for more student input and spearheaded presenting a campus opinion on the issue to the community.
“”The purpose of bringing this resolution is to bring the discussion on gun control and legislation being looked at in the (Arizona) House,”” Rising said.
Allowing concealed carry “”actively shifts the burden of self-preservation away from safety officials to students and faculty,”” and would “”remove the strategic advantage in high-pressure situations (of police),”” according to Rising’s resolution.
Sen. Chad Travis said he felt that the resolution put the senate in a position with which he was uncomfortable.
“”While I applaud the efforts to try and form an opinion for the student body, I really don’t feel comfortable taking a stance on this issue,”” Travis said. “”I’ve talked to students, and they don’t want the 10 of us trying to form an opinion for the entire student body. I’ve seen a very divided campus on this issue.””
Travis said, regardless of the stance of on the issue, he wouldn’t feel comfortable in writing a resolution in either light.
“”I have yet to hear a call from the student body,”” Travis said. “”When there is an uproar from the students, as with S.B. 1070, and we have students that are leaving this campus, then we are more than comfortable.””
Rising said he felt not taking a stance now wasn’t necessarily wise.
“”I don’t think we have to wait for rioting in the streets for us to take action,”” Rising said. “”What’s unique about this is that it is directly applied to the University of Arizona. We have an obligation to our students to take a stance.””
Rising also said, though, that he “”wouldn’t want to just blindside everyone with a resolution.””
Other senators also felt taking a stance was necessary.
“”We do need to take a stance,”” said Sen. Deanna Mariner. “”It was overwhelming in one direction last year, and I think we need to keep in mind that we were elected to represent students.””
“”We need to redirect our methods behind how we are going to solicit student information,”” Campbell said. “”I hate to see students all of a sudden hear about this legislation passing and have students say, ‘Why didn’t you give us the chance?’ I would hate for this opportunity to pass us by.””
Forums need to be only a place to make a generalized statement among the students about their opinions, according to Sen. Dominick San Angelo.
“”It’ll be an exercise to put on this charade that we are getting student opinion when everyone who is opposed to it will come out against it,”” San Angelo said.
ASUA President Emily Fritze said a new resolution fit the new legislative climate.
“”The reason that is, is because there are numerous bills that are being proposed and it’s important for the senate to approach it and take or not take their own stance,”” Fritze said.
Other Senate Business:
– ASUA voted unanimously to approve club funding for several clubs, bringing the yearly total for club funding to $71,419.13.
– The Outreach College also spoke to the ASUA Senate about reorganization of offerings for evening and weekend courses, despite allowing more degree options to be utilized at night. “”We have not gone to megasize classes,”” presenters said to alleviate blockages at bottleneck courses and degrees, especially with international students and UA South and adding distributive experience like the Eller College of Management’s Nanjing, China program, which allowed the college to accept more people into its upper division programs.
