By Rebecca MartinStaff Writer
A student-written bill of rights is essential to maintain an open,free learning environment, according to Associated Students.
The bill, recently passed by the A.S. Council, includes the rightto shared governance in decision making; the right to quality,affordable housing and food; and the right to the financial, socialand academic support from the university. The document will be addedto the organization’s bylaws just above its constitution.
The bill’s author, A.S. Vice President of External AffairsPriscilla Ocen, drafted it with a group of students at the beginningof the semester. She said at least 20 college campuses have a studentbill of rights, including Emporia State University and the Universityof Connecticut.
“I wrote the bill because we students come into the university notknowing what our rights are,” Ocen said.
“It will empower students to take action if anything ever happensto them. Similar to our Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution, thisbill isn’t necessarily something that you will always look to in yourdaily life, but if anything ever happens, you can rely upon it.”
Several students said a bill of rights is important to have inprint.
“We, as the students, should have a strong voice in where theuniversity is going,” liberal studies senior Brian Canfield said.”Passing this bill of rights is important because it would show theadministration that we, as students, are important and we take thisseriously.”
Art sophomore Elizabeth Parker said the student body shouldn’tneed a statement saying what rights they have.
“It’s ludicrous that these rights aren’t already guaranteed,” shesaid.
San Diego State currently has a statement regarding student rightsand responsibilities. It details rights students have and the conductthey should show on campus.
Ocen said the statement isn’t sufficient because the universitydrafted it, not the students. She said the school needs a bill ofrights drafted for the students, by the students.
She also said she tried to keep the sections as vague as possible.
“It’s open to interpretation, because what I say might notnecessarily mean the same thing to you,” she said. “That’s part ofwhat a bill of rights is supposed to be.”
In order for students to claim the rights laid out in the billdrafted by A.S., the document will need to be ratified by theUniversity Senate.
“I hope to make this happen this semester,” Ocen said.
She said she wants the bill of rights to be part of the Fall 2003course catalog so that entering students can know rights they areentitled to.
