In a meeting yesterday, SGA passed a resolution that expresses its support for the full recognition of the Reach OUT organization on Pepperdine’s campus.
The resolution resolves that the SGA deliver copies of the passed resolution to the Inter-Club Council and Dean of Student Affairs, Dean of Seaver College and University President.
Reach OUT Co-President Lindsay Jakows, who is a copy editor for the Graphic, was present in the gallery of the SGA meeting and decided to speak up right before SGA representatives voted.
Jakows thanked the SGA senate for conducting the survey, and then advocated for the resolution.
Last week, a group of SGA members volunteered to make edits to the original resolution authored by Reach OUT Co-President Alexander Cooper.
After the senate agreed to the amendments, discussion began about the resolution in general.
After an initial moment of silence, Sophomore Senator Laura Hamilton was the first to speak up regarding the resolution.
“Because administration has already said no to this, we need to think about what we would look like [as SGA members] to bring it up again,” Hamilton said. “I think it would be more powerful to work through Building Bridges and to promote conversation.”
Sophomore Senator Melissa Carr also wanted to be sure that SGA was looking at multiple aspects of the issue.
“Thirty-nine percent disagreed — that is an important student voice as well,” Carr said.
Junior Class President Christie Myers, future SGA president, shared her views of what SGA’s role is, and what it could do.
“Our job is to represent the student voice,” Myers said. “I think we are allowed to respectfully disagree [with administration].”
Myers then called for a showing of hands as to the members of SGA who already had an idea on which way to vote as not to prolong the conversation. After noting a majority of hands raised, Myers moved to vote.
Before the official voting began, Jakows spoke out.
“I think the role of SGA is not to defend administration,” Jakows said.
Jakows explained that she had looked into the SGA mission statement and noted that one of SGA’s main purposes is to advocate on behalf of all students.
Jakows also pointed out that 61 is a significant percentage. Jakows then cited other Pepperdine University affiliates who supported Reach OUT’s objective, such as members of the Theatre Department and Pepperdine psychologists. She insisted that SGA would not be alone in the effort to support Reach OUT.
“There is definitely precedent,” Jakows said. “Either way, I don’t think the majority should determine rights of the minorities.”
With the resolution passed, SGA will now be sending copies of the full resolution to ICC and Dean of Student Affairs, Dean of Seaver College and University President.
Since the passing of the resolution, Dean of Student Affairs Mark Davis restated the administration’s view in Reach OUT.
“Pepperdine seeks to be clear both in its support for LGBT students and in its support for the traditional sexual ethic as understood by Christian churches throughout history including Churches of Christ,” Davis wrote in an email.
Davis said he was appreciative of SGA’s efforts.
“I’m grateful for the work of SGA to ensure that the student voice is heard, “ Davis wrote. “And I was impressed by the thoughtful comments shared anonymously on the survey by our students; they show how strongly students feel about this complex and divisive issue.”
Davis suggested that the survey results depict the differences in the way students view the term “official recognition.
“To some, the decision not to give official University recognition to Reach OUT signifies marginalization of a group of students,” Davis wrote. “Worse, not to recognize is interpreted as a symbolic or real denial of existence. To others, recognition of an LGBT student organization signifies endorsement of sexual relationships inconsistent with the University’s Christian heritage and values.”
The surveyed students were randomly selected and have no identification related to this issue; however, the administration, along with the SGA, hopes to come to some common ground.
“It is our prayer that we can be true to our Christian heritage regarding biblical teachings on sexuality while respecting the dignity and worth of all members of our community,” Davis wrote.
In addition to the voting on Reach OUT, SGA also passed several resolutions regarding Dining Services options and maintenance, and an advocacy to install a shuttle bench at Alumni Park. SGA also discussed ideas for the Pepperdine University smartphone application that is being organized this semester.
