 "Photo: Chelsy Lueth")
SALINA–K-State’s Salina campus had a very rough Student Governing Association meeting Tuesday as it focused on a controversial topic regarding a speaker coming to the campus.
A group of students advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights had requested $1,000 to bring Ryan Sallens, a transgender, to speak at the K-State-Salina campus. Many students, including the Salina campus’ Student Body President Brian Koester, senior in professional pilot, felt this would be a waste of student money.
Koester said he was concerned that if they brought Sallens, he would be speaking to a very small audience, specifically the group of students lobbying for him.
“I want to make sure he will be speaking to the students,” Koester said, “not the faculty or the community members, but the students.
The meeting drew a large gathering of supporters who were interested in making their voices heard. However, they were represented only on behalf of two members of the senate, Salina campus Student Body Vice President Shae Blackwell, senior in professional pilot, and Senator Eddie DeHerrera, junior in engineering technology.
Blackwell argued during the debate session that the other colleges and programs have had their share of speakers, specifically referencing the aviation field.
“Family, students and human services haven’t had a presence on the campus,” said Blackwell.
However, she made a point of mentioning that the program has only existed for two years and a bachelor’s degree was offered for the first time last year.
A comment box had been open for students to leave feedback prior to the meeting. A majority of the comments were against the idea of funding the speaker.
Blackwell said some of the comments expressed violence toward the legislation that would have allocated $1,000 for bringing the speaker to the campus. She said some students were bold enough to place their names on the comments, which have been reviewed by administrative officials.
“I’m shocked, but not surprised,” DeHerrera said.
While they will not receive funding from the Educational Opportunity Funding, the group immediately began a contingency plan.
Leslie Hannah, assistant dean of academics, said he had foreseen the outcome and had begun brainstorming alternative funding options, including a couple hundred dollars from his own pocket.
“Obviously the students, through their senators, spoke their minds, and I respect the process,” Hannah said. “We have to find a way to make it happen. I’ll cover part of it, and we’ll fundraise for the rest of it.”
Jaclyn Wood, adviser to the campus’ academic services, was one of the supporters who attended the meeting in favor of the bill. She was one of the many who left after the vote to attend an informal gathering outside of the conference room.
“I think that our students on our campus should have the same experience that students on the main campus have,” Wood said. “And I know that this kind of opportunity is available there.”
Many after the vote said they felt opponents of the plan were not factoring in the number of students from the main campus that would attend the event.
“I-70 is a two way street,” Hannah said.
The Salina SGA, however, solely represents the students of the Salina campus.
Koester said he felt the vote was justified.
“The senators voted the way they thought they should to best represent their constituents,” said Koester. “Being able to still have this opportunity is great,” he said regarding alternative funding for the speaker.
51 comments
And a certain individual actual signed their name. Is this individual going to be prosecuted. This is a very serious matter folks. Remember Columbine? Matthew Shepard? At the least, this individual should be expelled in my opinion.
There were discriminatory comments made in the article published by the KSate Collegian right after the meeting. All - There is $6000 in the account for the SGA to use for THIS semester. The deadline in over for applying for funds.
THE MONEY IS THERE!! they paid $100,000 for another speaker and didn't bat an eye.
If K State - Salina is not going to use the funds then I think I will write Governor Kathleen Sebelius and tell her that the budget for SGA needs to be lowered. Use it or lose it.Students are still required to attend classes on the date Ryan is scheduled. I know there are instructors who will give tests that day.
That is exactly why a Christian Pastor needs to talk to people. Because people like you think you've got it all figured out and have pegged all Christians as the same. The religion of Christianity is damned near impossible to "know" entirely and it takes most people their entire lives to truly scratch the surface.
Kansas State-Salina refuses to fund Ryan. This is 2009 people. Let's step outside the Salina bubble for a minute and be educated by life. Who would want to attend a University that is not open to new ideas??
How would your pastor help students learn about diversity? We are surrounded every day with Christians! Maybe a new age Christian or a religious group that is not as well known, would be great to have on campus. This is about education of the unknown for students, not about what most of us are already aware or apart of.
To the person who made this comment "This victim complex you seems to have is something you need counseling for. I suggest you go to K-States first-rate Lafine Health Center. Don't get depressed and paranoid. Life for you is real, real good. " ..................this is a very uneducational statement... what do u know about being a homosexual or what life is for a person such as Ryan Sallans?... YOu have a hush hush attitude with ur statement to Dustin.. like all is well so be quite about it.. which is sad. No one is playing a victim and he didnt want the guest speaker to come JUST for HIM.. Ryan Sallens will enlighten everyone even yourself. "Martin Luther KIng.. "we shall overcome"... and we did without the senators approval or the small amount of people supposively representing the student body of our school.....our voice has been heard!
I would also like to know what these exclusive "special privileges" are that are given to "minorities, women, and homosexuals". Yes, the Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination policies at KSU include sexual orientation and gender identity but equal rights and opportunities are not "special" rights and opportunities.
Furthermore, I'm appalled by the assertion that queer people have a lifestyle--not a life--and that KSU is "nurturing" it. Denying a minimal amount of funding to a student group for a speaker that would start a dialogue about gender and sexuality, something that truly enhances understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ community, doesn't sound very nurturing to me.Sara Thompson
Executive Director
Queers & Allies at KU
President
LGBTQ & More
K-State Manhattan