Concurrent resolution should have been passed

TO THE EDITOR:

I am writing to express my extreme displeasure with the 91st Student Congress' decision not to pass the concurrent resolution concerning free speech and Chancellor Holden Thorp's response. As I sat watching the debate on this topic I couldn't help but realize events such as this cause the student body to detest Congress. Concurrent resolutions are the method by which Congress expresses its opinion. By not passing this resolution Congress not only missed an opportunity to speak on this pressing University issue but allowed personal misunderstandings and petty arguments on semantics to deter its passing.

The concurrent resolution stated two specific things: It re-affirmed the right to free speech and supported Chancellor Thorp's response in pursing the guilty parties. While plans intended to condemn Students for a Democratic Society the actual resolution targeted no specific individual and placed no fault on any organization whether it be a student group or the Department of Public Safety. All this was left wide open.

The events that occurred at the protest of former U.S. Rep Tom Tancredo R-Colo. have tarnished the reputation of this school and each student here at UNC. It only seems right that the branch of student government which is supposedly closest to the students would be able to unite in confirming our right to free speech. The fact that it was not is another insult to the students. If you are upset with this indecision I strongly suggest you contact your representative and express your opinion.



Gerard Bifulco

First-year

Political Science