College Cookie Sales Discriminatory - Duh? That's the point!
Well, well, now the Young College Republicans have been skewered and forced to apologize for selling cupcakes in a discrimanatory manner. I think my apology would have read: hmmmm.....
On behalf of the Young College Republicans, I would like to aplolgize for selling cupcakes in a manner that is consistent with the college administration's equal opportunity admittance policies and standards. While this practice is perfectly applicable for student equal opportunity admittance and enrollment, it is obviously not acceptable to apply the same criteria to cupcake sales, where the intent of the sale is to demonstrate inequalities surrounding the administration's admittance criteria. I would also like to thank the administration for disregarding The Constitution of The United States and it's applicable directives governing Freedom of Speech. By following the letter of the law and condeming the cupcake sale, instead of following the spirit of the law and allowing the cupcake sales to continue as a peaceful protest/demonstration, this condemnation of an obvious exercise of Freedom of Speech has set the tone of inequity and intollerance for generations of freshmen to come. And finally, I cannot forget to thank the administration for insisting on equality across the board for all aspects of it's governance and functions.
Now, on a personal note, the Young College Republicans should be ashamed for backing down and allowing thier rights to be stomped into ground by a bigoted group of administrators. What happened to standing up for your principals???
Writing in disapointment.
Quote:
Bake sale brings probation at GVSU
Thursday, April 14, 2005
By Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
The Grand Rapids Press
ALLENDALE -- A cupcake sale intended as a satirical jab at affirmative action has resulted in probation for the College Republicans at Grand Valley State University.
The Student Organization Review Board notified the group Wednesday its March 21 "Affirmative Action Bake Sale" violated a university rule that requires financial transactions to be nondiscriminatory.
During the sale, three members of the group -- who have resigned -- applied affirmative action principles to cupcake pricing. The students offered the treats for $2 for white men, 75 cents for blacks and white women, 50 cents for Asians and Hispanics, and 5 cents for American Indians.
Following last Friday's misconduct hearing, the five-member review board decided to put the student group on probation until Dec. 1.
The review board also required the student group to make a public apology and create a leadership development plan to make sure club leaders are aware of university policies and procedures. The group will retain university funding and campus organization privileges.
The College Republicans say they do not plan to appeal.
"I'm hoping that from here, we can just move forward taking what we've learned," said Karen Hall, a 19-year-old sophomore and vice president of the organization.
In a prepared statement, the new leaders of the group explain that "the club did not support holding a bake sale with discounted prices as a parody of affirmative action. However, without proper support, individuals went forward with such a bake sale."
The group also apologized "that individuals using our club's name failed to adhere to university policies."
University President Mark Murray said the review board's decision was fair and stressed that the disciplinary action is not meant to stifle free speech.
The problem, he said, was the discriminatory way the College Republicans went about making its argument.
"Free speech is integral to our rights as citizens," he said. "I hope those engaged in political discourse choose an option that elevates our discourse on controversial issues rather than degrades it."
But Kyle Rausch, the 19-year-old GVSU student from Adrian who says he was pressured to resign as leader of the student group, said the university is playing politics and squelching free speech.
"As much as it was an eye opener, it was worth doing. The university has basically said anyone who wants to do anything controversial will be sanctioned," Rausch said.
He said he has received at least 100 e-mails and letters of support from Republican parents and teachers, plus offers for letters of recommendation.
Press writer Theresa D. McClellan contributed to this story.
© 2005 Grand Rapids Press. Used with permission
