GAPSA blasts proposed cuts

The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly unanimously passed a resolution yesterday denouncing School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens' recommendations to close three of the school's departments. The resolution also criticized the timing of the recommendations, saying it left "little time for community-wide discussion or organized dissent." The resolution further asked the University Trustees to "postpone any decision so that there is time for the evaluation of the proposal and the consideration of valid alternatives." GAPSA members also debated whether Part II of the University's Racial Harassment Policy – the so-called "speech code" – be suspended. Last month, Interim President Claire Fagin said she was considering suspending Part II of the policy, which forbids any "verbal or symbolic behavior" that "insults or demeans [a] person?on the basis of his or her race, color, ethnicity or national origin?by the use of slurs, epithets, hate words, demeaning jokes or derogatory stereotypes." While some members said they feel Part II is necessary in order to "empower" minority groups, others believe it could be a source of divisiveness on campus. Undergraduate Assembly member Rashad Ibrahim made a statement to GAPSA calling for the preservation of Part II. Speaking to the assembly on behalf of his organization, the newly-formed Human Rights League, Ibrahim said that since Part II defines racial harassment in such a limited way, "the policy only restricts extreme acts of racial intolerance that cannot have any social value." GAPSA members were varied in their opinions, which ranged from maintaining the current policy to amending it, to cutting Part II altogether. The issue was finally tabled pending the University Council meeting this Wednesday, when Interim President Claire Fagin is scheduled to address the policy. In other proceedings, GAPSA Chairperson Patricia Khuly expressed concern over GAPSA's current relationship to the Vice Provost for University Life's office.