The A.S. Council pushed through the “”Resolution Against the Racial Privacy Initiative”” as an item of immediate consideration on Wednesday night in response to the petition-gatherers roving the UCSD campus to gather signatures to put the initiative on the ballot.
The Racial Privacy Initiative, written by UC Regent Ward Connerly, is a push to remove checkboxes asking for racial identity on forms such as admissions applications and employment documents.
Vice President External Dylan deKervor wrote the resolution Wednesday as part of a campaign to educate students about the argument against the Racial Privacy Initiative. The United States Student Association lobbying group has dubbed the initiative the “”Identity Elimination Initiative.””
The resolution also takes a stance against the initiative.
“”Be it finally resolved,”” the resolution states, “”that the Associated Students of [UCSD] join the [USSA] and the University of California Student Association by taking a stance against the Racial Privacy/’Identity Elimination’ Initiative and the detrimental effects it may have on our campuses if successfully passed.””
According to deKervor, petitiongatherers have been answering students’ questions by telling them the initiative is to “”end racial profiling,”” a term commonly associated with police practices that target minorities.
DeKervor said her problem with the petition-gatherers is the deceitfulness in which they collect signatures.
“”I think we’re elected to help inform the students and I think it’s important because right now students are being deceived,”” said A.S. Commissioner of Communications Catherine Algeri.
Many UCSD students have been approached on the walkway by Sun God, in front of CLICS, on Library Walk and in other locations around campus.
“”I asked [the petition-gatherer] and they didn’t give me a clear response to explain what they were asking me to sign,”” said Muir freshman Dayna Struiksma.
“”I felt almost offended that they weren’t as informative as they should have been. I would not have signed it if I had known what it was.””
DeKervor herself firmly opposes the initiative.
“”I feel this initiative is robbing us of the ability to prove that we have a serious problem with diversity, especially in UC admissions and faculty positions,”” she said.
Roosevelt Sophomore Senator Tom Chapman, who voted in favor of the resolution, said he believes the name of the initiative is misleading.
“”This resolution, regardless of political slant, addressed the issues of that name,”” he said.
The resolution passed the council 18-0-2, with two senators abstaining.
“”I abstained from voting because I felt that on an issue that might be considered controversial that it would be better for senators to have a chance to speak with their college councils and constituents before voting,”” said Marshall junior senator Will Tunick.
Marshall Sophomore Senator Sierra Catcott abstained for the same reason.
DeKervor was happy to see the council support her office’s planned campaign against the initiative.
“”I’m really glad that this council took a stance on both the necessity to foster education of our students on political issues and the need for improvement in the diversity on this campus,”” deKervor said.