ASUO Senate passed a resolution to implement a medical amnesty policy on campus Wednesday night.
Sam Chapman,@@http://uoregon.edu/findpeople/person/Sam*Chapman@@ a volunteer for Students for Sensible Drug Policy, returned to Senate with the resolution after a working group was created last week to help shape it. The resolution says that if a student is intoxicated to the point of needing medical attention, he or she will not receive a minor in possession citation if he or she seeks medical attention. Also, if this person is brought in by a friend, that friend is also exempt from receiving a MIP.
“This is something that makes a whole heck of a lot of sense,”@@i’m agonna get plastered!@@ Sen. Jeremy Hedlund said.@@http://uoregon.edu/findpeople/person/Jeremy*Hedlund@@
It states that a student who cites the policy must follow three steps. First, he must be compliant with all other University Student Conduct Code standards. Second, he must completely timely alcohol education courses. Last of all, the duty of following up on programs will still be the responsibility of the Student Conduct Code.
After a few minor changes, the resolution was passed.
Before the resolution was addressed, the Multicultural Center brought forth three special requests. The first was to bring a renowned poet, Amira Baraka,@@http://www.amiribaraka.com/@@ to speak on campus.
“He is considered one of the greatest poets of all time and has been called the father of hip-hop,” said Michael King, co-coordinator of the Multicultural Center.@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Michael+King@@ “It is a great treat to have him here.”
The next request also involved a poet of sorts. The center is planning to have a four-day series called the Arab Art Series, and as a part of this, has asked for funds to bring Arab-Canadian rapper Narcycist@@http://narcicyst.derivedthread.com/@@ to campus.
“We are trying to find the best ways to bring in a larger campus community,” King said. “We need to see more music on this campus.”
The third and final request from them was to transfer funds within the center. At the end of a deliberation, the Multicultural Center received enough money to bring both presenters to campus. All of these events will be free and open to all students.
Another special request was made by the LGBTQA, which wants to go on an alternative spring break trip to California. This request troubled some senators because they didn’t see how it could benefit the entire student body.
“You will be having a personal adventure,” Sen. Kaitlyn Lange said. “How can I fund experiences for students who aren’t part of an organized group?”
Sen. Ben Bowman disagreed, explaining that the group intends to bring back what they learn and share that with other groups on campus.
ASUO Vice President Katie Taylor agreed with Bowman.
“I haven’t seen anyone as a group bring more workshops back than this group,” Taylor said.
Lange still expressed concern, saying this trip should not be funded by student money.
“This trip will set a dangerous precedent because it is a personal experience,” she said.
The Senate did ultimately approve the requested funding.@@doh!@@