ASOSU supports same-sex marriage

The issue of same-sex marriage sparked passions at last night’s Associated Students of Oregon State University House of Representatives meeting.

The debate over JR 71.04, which gives ASOSU’s support to same-sex marriage and  asks for the federal government to recognize it, passed by a vote of eight to two with two more abstaining.

Two students spoke against the resolution, saying that ASOSU did not have the legal authority to pass such a resolution.

“It is not whether we agree with the content of the resolution, but whether it is legal,” said Julia Day, an Oregon State student.

Day went on to cite several legal cases that she believed showed precedent that ASOSU did not have the legal authority to pass such a resolution.

“No real debate over the issue of same-sex marriage has occurred,” Day said.

However, the resolution had been discussed at both last week’s house and senate meeting, which allowed opportunities for student comment, as well being the main topic of yesterday’s town hall meeting and senate meeting.

“ASOSU is a representative government. To represent 100 percent of the students 100 percent of the time is feasibly impossible,” said Representative Michael Robb. “We’ve had a town hall, there has been debate.”

Representative Jesse Davis concurred.

“We did open it up to debate and no student offered an opinion against same-sex marriage,” Davis said.

But Jessica Chantler felt that ASOSU still did not have authority to pass the resolution.

“ASOSU is not a group whose responsibility is to speak on civil rights,” Chantler said.

However the resolution’s author, Representative Brad Alvarez, felt that ASOSU could pass resolutions on whatever it pleased.

In other business the house:
• Passed JB 71.08 which expands the responsibilities of the veteran affairs task force director.

• Approved a letter by Kyle Hatch, veteran affairs task force director, asking the faculty senate to approve the wearing of a red, white and blue honor cord with graduation garb by veterans and service members as well as honoring them during the commencement.

• Passed JR 71.05 with no discussion, which supports construction of a Middle Eastern Cultural Center.  
• Failed to pass HB 03.03, which asked for representatives to give reasons as to why they were abstaining from voting on legislation.

• Failed to pass HR 03.13.

• Failed to pass HR 03.12, which called for parties to attempt to mediate with the university before pursuing litigation against the university.

• Passed HR 03.08, which calls for the creation of an intercollegiate wheelchair basketball team.

The house has its final meeting of the year next Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union lounge. The meeting will be a joint session and will inaugurate next year’s congress, president and vice president.

Don Iler, managing editor
managing@dailybarometer.com
On Twitter: @doniler