SOU Student Government Kicks Military Recruiters Out of the Student Union

Ashland, OR. Southern Oregon University's Student Government (ASSOU) passed a resolution last night banning military recruiters from the Student Union. The US Military's discrimination against homosexuality, the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, is in direct conflict with SOU's anti-dicrimination policy. The resolution was carried 8 votes to 2.

Steve Ryan, student senator and sponsor of the resolution said of its passage, ?SOU?s Student Government is taking a proactive role in protecting students from discrimination. Clearly the military?s 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy conflicts with the Universities anti-discrimination policy. We saw the contradiction and wanted to find a solution.?

The resolution titled, ?Barring discriminatory practices in the Stevenson Union,? will prevent Military Recruiters from having access to the building. They will no longer be allowed to table in the foyer or at job fairs in the Student Union. Nor will recruiters be allowed to hang flyers or display brochures in the Student Union and Access center.

?This is a first step by SOU students to hold the military accountable for their blatant discriminatory policy that prevents gays and lesbian from enlisting,? said Student Organizer Keith Quick. ?Discrimination is not tolerated by the University and it will not be tolerated within the walls of the Student Union.?

Universities across the country are taking measures to protect students against discrimination by recruiters. Similar resolutions have passed at Harvard Law School, the University of California Berkeley, and City College of New York.

?We applaud the ASSOU decision to ban military recruiters from the student union building. University students worked for years to enact anti-discrimination policies to ensure that their campuses were free of the type of discrimination epitomized by the United States military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy,? said Stuart O'Neill, Peace House Youth & Militarism program coordinator.

Peace House's Youth & Militarism program works to reduce the impact of war and militarism on young people's lives. Aiming to counteract the growing influence of the military in our public schools and Universities, Ashland Oregon based Peace House helps students and educators work for peace and better education in our communities.

Contact:
Steve Ryan (541)951-1409, resolutionvideo at yahoo.com
Keith Quick (541)941-2845, dkquick at msn.com