ASUCR Senate was created to be a student government elected by the student's and for the student's. However it has come to my attention in this past week, that transparency may have been an issue that some students felt was inadequate. In our last senate meeting this past Tuesday, the LGBT organization effectively voiced their opinion on a recent issue that has had a profound impact upon their organization. They came in large numbers, had prepared an organized argument, and lastly effectively invoked an emotional response. I would like to commend them on their unified voice and assure them that they will be heard.
The main issue that they had approached ASUCR was regarding the cutting of their funding. In fact, they had rightly approached us because their entire budget was apparently cut. When divulging into further details, it was seen as a temporary book keeping move, however to the LGBT organization, a "slap in the face." I would like to assure the student population of UCR that ASUCR did not by any means intentionally single out LGBT in this cut. Our current economic climate has forced us to cut budgets in all areas. We are not homophobes and hold nothing against the LGBT community.
Throughout the meeting it became apparent to me that tensions were quite high. Both sides felt very angry or hurt at each others comments. However, in my opinion the resolution was a clear cut solution that involved both sides negotiating a reasonable budget allocation. Both ASUCR and LGBT argued profusely on past offenses when in fact it should be looking forward to change what can be done. Our previous faults should not be dwelt upon, but instead used as a reminder of how not to act in the future. I hope that because of this incident ASUCR, the LGBT community, along with the rest of the campus can peacefully negotiate, express their opinions, and solve problems. We can only do things to change future, but nothing to change the past.
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