After the theft of more than 1,000 copies of the April 7 issue of the Baker Orange, censorship was the main topic of discussion at Tuesday’s Baker University Student Senate meeting.
President Ryan Boyer closed the meeting to senators only before a discussion was held on whether student senate would pass a resolution against censorship. After much discussion, the resolution failed to pass with a vote of 29 to eight.
Sophomore Class Secretary/Treasurer Kelly Vaughan said she voted against the resolution.
“I don’t condone stealing, but I don’t exactly agree with what the paper did,” she said. “If students aren’t agreeing with what the paper is saying, they have the right to stand up and say that. I don’t agree with what the (thieves) did, but I believe that is a form of theft, not a form of censorship.”
Sophomore Class President Wes Mikel said he chose to vote in favor of the resolution.
“I believe that free speech is one of the most important aspects to a free and educated society, especially at the college-level,” he said. “People need to have the right to say whatever they think, regardless of whether it is the popular opinion, or the correct viewpoint.”
In other discussion, Mikel said he would like to see the campus help raise money for YouthAIDS, which is an organization that provides educational information about AIDS and HIV prevention targeting youth between the ages 15 to 24.
Mikel said YouthAIDS sells necklaces for $5, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the organization.
He said he would like to sell at least 100 necklaces in order to raise $500.
According to the Web site, www.youthaids-aldo.org, YouthAIDS, “uses media, pop culture, music, theater and sports to reach 600 million young people in over 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care.”
Mikel also announced that the sophomore class will be showing “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at 8 p.m. Monday in the Harter Union lobby.
Free drinks, chips, candy and popcorn will be provided. At the end of the movie, the DVD will be raffled off to a sophomore in attendance.
Boyer encouraged senators to attend University President Dan Lambert’s upcoming retirement reception.
“Everyone please go,” he said. “He’s put in a lot of hard work.”
At next week’s meeting, the transition of next year’s executive officers will take place.