2008 Woodie Awards
"Fighting the good fight"
Daryn Iwicki, Guest Columnist
Issue date: 2/7/06 Section: Letters to the Editor
Those who read last week's article on the front page entitled "Campus Politics: College Republicans and Libertarians Vs. College Democrats" have been immensely ill informed as to what is happening on our college campus. This article was so flawed that I do not even know where to begin.
The letter (not "letters" as the article said) sent to the Administration on campus was in reference to the non-discrimination policy. This was about the only truthful thing written in the entire article. The article failed to mention that the College Republicans, Libertarians, AND Democrats took part in writing the final letter to go out to the Administration on campus. The reason is very simple as to why to change the policy. Take for example a Jewish group on campus. Now under the current bylaws, they would have to let a Nazi into their group, be a voting member, and run for an office. This is utterly ridiculous. The same goes for political affiliations. I am a Precinct Chairman for the Guilford County Republican Party and we do not allow people to work for or help us if you are not a registered Republican. The reasons for this are obvious.
With that said, I am pleased to let you all know that the Administration also noted that this policy was wrong in how it was worded. They have a new policy written to go into effect for this semester, which will allow political and religious groups to make sure members share the same core values as the rest of the group. So I guess that means Mr. Tutwiler and the rest of the College Democrats find this ruling to be "ridiculous." The College Democrats must also believe that the ruling against UNC Chapel Hill was ridiculous about this very issue where Judge Frank W. Bullock stated UNC nondiscrimination policy "raises significant constitutional concerns and could be violative of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution."
This could have been all avoided if Shina Neo wrote a proper article and got the full story. Instead the article was written on the basis of a slanted view from someone who knew nothing about what they were commenting on. I am very happy that my group is working with the College Libertarians, especially in the current political times that we are living in. Even though we share different viewpoints we have been able to come together to discuss and stand up for the freedoms of all students on this campus. I am also happy to say that we made an effort to work with the College Democrats on this issue, but unfortunately they do not care as much as we do for the rights of students and groups on this campus.
The new policy will read, "Student organizations that select their members on the basis of commitment to a set of beliefs (e.g; Religious or Political beliefs) may limit membership and participation in the organization to students who, upon individual inquiry, affirm that they support the organization's goals and agree with its beliefs, so long as no student is excluded from membership or participation on the basis of his or her age, race, color, national origin, disability, religious status or historic religious affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, or unless exempt under Title IX, gender."
Daryn Iwicki is the UNCG College Republicans Vice President.
The letter (not "letters" as the article said) sent to the Administration on campus was in reference to the non-discrimination policy. This was about the only truthful thing written in the entire article. The article failed to mention that the College Republicans, Libertarians, AND Democrats took part in writing the final letter to go out to the Administration on campus. The reason is very simple as to why to change the policy. Take for example a Jewish group on campus. Now under the current bylaws, they would have to let a Nazi into their group, be a voting member, and run for an office. This is utterly ridiculous. The same goes for political affiliations. I am a Precinct Chairman for the Guilford County Republican Party and we do not allow people to work for or help us if you are not a registered Republican. The reasons for this are obvious.
With that said, I am pleased to let you all know that the Administration also noted that this policy was wrong in how it was worded. They have a new policy written to go into effect for this semester, which will allow political and religious groups to make sure members share the same core values as the rest of the group. So I guess that means Mr. Tutwiler and the rest of the College Democrats find this ruling to be "ridiculous." The College Democrats must also believe that the ruling against UNC Chapel Hill was ridiculous about this very issue where Judge Frank W. Bullock stated UNC nondiscrimination policy "raises significant constitutional concerns and could be violative of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution."
This could have been all avoided if Shina Neo wrote a proper article and got the full story. Instead the article was written on the basis of a slanted view from someone who knew nothing about what they were commenting on. I am very happy that my group is working with the College Libertarians, especially in the current political times that we are living in. Even though we share different viewpoints we have been able to come together to discuss and stand up for the freedoms of all students on this campus. I am also happy to say that we made an effort to work with the College Democrats on this issue, but unfortunately they do not care as much as we do for the rights of students and groups on this campus.
The new policy will read, "Student organizations that select their members on the basis of commitment to a set of beliefs (e.g; Religious or Political beliefs) may limit membership and participation in the organization to students who, upon individual inquiry, affirm that they support the organization's goals and agree with its beliefs, so long as no student is excluded from membership or participation on the basis of his or her age, race, color, national origin, disability, religious status or historic religious affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, or unless exempt under Title IX, gender."
Daryn Iwicki is the UNCG College Republicans Vice President.
