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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/26/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
December 18, 2005 UWGB students debate RA activities Resolution backs hall directors' right to conduct Bible studies By Kelly McBride
And although it's hard to find anyone on campus who can remember a similar problem at UWGB, some students have said it's best to pre-empt any such issue at the university.
At its meeting last Monday, UWGB's Student Senate narrowly voted to approve a resolution in support of RAs' right to participate in Bible studies and similar activities, whether in their rooms or elsewhere on campus.
UWGB has no explicit policy on the subject, said Sue Keihn, associate provost for student services and dean of students at UWGB. But even as UW System President Kevin Reilly announced the formation of a systemwide committee to review the issue, some Green Bay students wanted to make sure student voices are heard.
"The whole reason I brought it forth was freedom of speech," said UWGB junior Tyler Vorpagel, a student senator and co-author of the resolution. "I don't think we should be telling people (what to do) if they're not forcing anybody to participate in a religious discussion or anything."
The UW System Bible study controversy stems from a UW-Eau Claire RA, Lance Steiger, who was told he would have to stop holding Bible studies in his dorm basement or face disciplinary action. Eau Claire has since suspended its policy, but not before Steiger could file a lawsuit against the university.
Reilly last week announced the formation of an advisory group on the issue. Vorpagel and some of his fellow student senators wanted to have an official student position before that, he said. The resolution passed by one vote Monday, with two abstentions.
But for some at UWGB, the move was premature. There was no reason to weigh in on a problem that hasn't presented itself here, said student senator Amanda Hall, a UWGB senior.
"I am not necessarily opposed to the wording of this resolution," Hall said. "What I'm opposed to is taking a stance — either affirmative or negative — to this issue at all."
Student Senate should focus on issues pertinent to campus, Hall said, such as the UWGB budget and student segregated fees, which are the highest in the UW System.
In announcing the advisory group Tuesday, Reilly said he believes the system can develop a policy that protects individual rights of RAs while ensuring their residents don't feel coerced into participation in Bible studies or other political or religious activities, according to the UW System.
The advisory group is slated to make its recommendations by Jan. 9, 2006, at which point officials will develop a systemwide policy on the issue.
Still, student senator Brian Navin has his concerns.
"On campus, the RAs have, in essence, a relationship that's most similar to a student-teacher-professor type of relationship," he said. "My concern was a conflict of interest due to an RA being in their own building ... where they have jurisdiction."
Glenn Gray, director of the office of residence life at UWGB, said his position falls more in line with the resolution passed Monday — especially since he's never heard of a similar problem on campus.
And for some RAs — senior Steph Knoppa among them — it all boils down to a matter of common sense.
"I just believe that there's always a balance between your own personal beliefs and the beliefs of the department you're working for," Knoppa said. "It's a personal decision for each RA. ... I personally don't want to have any type of influence in that way. I choose not to share that portion of who I am with them."
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