To: the Amherst Association of Students
AAS Senate: Stop allowing illicit discrimination
Amend the AAS Constitution so that it no longer permits discrimination or censorship based on one's race, religion, sexuality, or political ideology.
Why is this important?
In recent weeks, many students have pushed for more comprehensive conversations about important matters such as race and mental health. If these conversations are to ever take place in a genuine way, our students should be exposed to all perspectives, not just ones they are comfortable hearing. If there is to be widespread engagement in these conversations, every student must feel safe to express him or herself without fear of retaliation and defamation. Thus, the AAS should add a clause barring its members from illicit discrimination particularly in, but not limited to, its allocation of funding.
The Amherst College Honor Code states that, “Every student enjoys the right to full participation in the academic and social life of the college, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic identification, age, political affiliation and/or belief, sexual orientation, gender … economic status or physical or mental disability.” It continues: “Every student bears the responsibility to protect the rights of all to express their views.” It's time for the AAS Constitution to reflect that, and for AAS senators to be held to the same standard as every other student. Only Amherst College students may sign.
Read here for more information:
http://amherststudent.amherst.edu/?q=article/2014/12/10/amend-aas-constitution-fight-discrimination
The Amherst College Honor Code states that, “Every student enjoys the right to full participation in the academic and social life of the college, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic identification, age, political affiliation and/or belief, sexual orientation, gender … economic status or physical or mental disability.” It continues: “Every student bears the responsibility to protect the rights of all to express their views.” It's time for the AAS Constitution to reflect that, and for AAS senators to be held to the same standard as every other student. Only Amherst College students may sign.
Read here for more information:
http://amherststudent.amherst.edu/?q=article/2014/12/10/amend-aas-constitution-fight-discrimination