A student government officer ruled Friday against a youth minister’s accusations that The Student Insurgent’s latest edition contains hate-filled and discriminatory articles and images of Jesus, saying that the content doesn’t clash with any University or ASUO rules.
University student Zachary White, a student minister at the St. Thomas More Newman Center, filed an official complaint with the student government on April 13 in which he said the incidental fee, which all students pay, should not be used to print material that insults Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church, particularly.
“I find it intolerable and contrary to the University’s mission of tolerance and non-discrimination to use public funds to allow for discrimination of a religious group on campus,” White wrote in the complaint.
After meeting with a University attorney and reviewing the rules guide for possible violations of incidental fee use, ASUO Programs Administrator David Goward said Sunday it’s a “pretty black and white” issue. He ruled Friday that The Insurgent need not apologize nor refrain from publishing similar content in the future, both outcomes that White requested.
“We realize that some people are offended by the content of the ASUO Student Insurgent, but we stand firm in the fact that this publication, and previous (ones) do contribute to the cultural and physical development of the university community,” a requirement for student groups receiving student fees.
Student government gave the Insurgent $18,349 in incidental fees for this year’s publication costs and director positions. Each student pays $191 a term in incidental fees.