University Senate
• The Student Government Association has passed a resolution recommending the university take a stance against House Joint Resolution 6
• University Senate will vote on a recommendation to decide the leaning of Ball State’s university governance system.
Today’s Meeting
Meeting: 4 p.m. in Burkhardt Building Room 109
Student representatives: Two student senators, SGA president Chloe Anagnos, vice president Alyssa France and Pro Tempor Jack Hesser
Recommendations: Faculty Council and University Council have already passed recommendations that the university make a public statement against HJR-6.
The Student Government Association will recommend that University Senate votes for Ball State to take a public stand against House Joint Resolution 6 today following the passing of the SGA resolution.
SGA voted 29 to 6 with two abstaining, passing a resolution sponsored by 324 students and five organizations. The resolution recommends Ball State take a public stance against HJR-6.
Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Indiana, but HJR-6 would define marriage as only between a man and a woman in the state constitution. If it passes through the legislature and then a public vote in November 2014, it will bar legal structures like civil unions and threaten domestic partnership benefits.
Co-author of the resolution and SGA pro tempore Jack Hesser said he was appreciative of student senators reaching out to their constituents for feedback on this issue.
“I think the student senators reach out to their constituents in the appropriate manner,” Hesser said. “I received literally hundreds of emails from students and senators. A lot of organizations also contacted me [to sponsor the bill].”
University Senate will vote on a recommendation also, to decide the leaning of Ball State’s university governance system.
SGA recently approved two student senators to represent the student body during the University Senate meeting along with SGA president Chloe Anagnos, vice president Alyssa France and Hesser. They will be the only student voting members of University Senate.
Hesser said the five will vote in the same percentage student senate voted, so one will likely vote against taking a public stance.
University Senate chairperson David Pearson said a majority is needed to pass the recommendation and if passed, the recommendation will go the administration.
Both the Faculty Council and University Council have already passed recommendations that the university make a public statement against HJR-6.
University Provost Terry King encouraged input from the university governance system so the university can take a public stance against HJR-6.
“The university administration feels strongly that Ball State must continue to be a welcoming and inclusive institution for all faculty members, students and staff,” King said in a statement to the Faculty Council on Oct. 31.
Under Ball State’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited and same-sex domestic partners of university employees can have employee spouse benefits.
The Faculty Council was first to pass a recommendation for Ball State to come out against HJR-6.
Faculty Council chairperson Kip Shawger said if University Senate doesn’t pass a resolution opposing HJR-6, it is hypocritical, because HJR-6 goes against Ball State’s principles.
“We pride ourselves on being non-discriminatory,” Shawger said. “Faculty who may come to teach at BSU who are same-sex couples may not want to come to university. To know that Ball State is opposing it, it puts us in a good perspective with a lot of people.”
The University Council, which represents administration, followed the lead of the Faculty Council and also passed a recommendation against HJR-6.
University Council chairperson Mike Gillilan said the council felt it was the right thing to do.
He said if HJR-6 passes, it will make Ball State and Indiana less attractive to potential faculty and administrators.
“When it comes to professional employees, we want the best we can get,” Gillilan said. “The last thing we need is to have things that are considered barriers by potential candidates like an HJR-6 to deter or discourage people.”
Gillilan hopes if Ball State makes a public statement, the legislature will value it.
“[We would be standing with] Indiana University, Wabash [College], Cummins, Eli Lilly and Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “All of these groups with a wide variety of interests coming to an agreement on a single issue that we should not be writing discrimination into our state constitution.”
The University Senate meeting will take place at 4 p.m. this afternoon in Burkhardt Building Room 109.
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