Officials respond to Observer about campaigning inside PRCC
R-N SAYS RULES ARE RULES
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: Observations
Dear Observer,
I commend you for keeping the issue of student activism, particularly, as it concerns the 2008 Presidential Elections, before the campus community.
It is unfortunate you're your editorials left the impression that the Robeson Center would deny the opportunity for students to exercise the fullest expression of political thought.
We would not.
However, we would like to inform the campus community what we advised the Observer previously.
That is, Stephen Marguet's request to participate in the spring 2008 Paul Robeson Campus Center Student Organization Showcase was denied precisely because, under Rutgers policy, only registered student organizations were allowed to solicit at this event.
In fact, voter registration tables were set up at the event, but no partisan electoral activities.
Generally, political solicitation is prohibited per Rutgers policy Section 50.3.4 Electoral Political Activities and the Use of University Resource. Nevertheless, the Paul Robeson Campus Center staff encouraged Mr. Marguet to partner with some of our student organizations who were already planning to give out campaign materials in order to voice his perspectives and beliefs.
Unfortunately, Mr. Marguet and his team chose not to work with other registered groups but to create a make-shift Obama Support Registration Station during this event.
The gravamen of this matter is not the denial of the right that students absolutely have to express, promote and discuss their political affiliations.
Rather, in this instance, it was solely about the use of university resources to promote one candidate verse another. We were bound to follow university regulation.
As the most diverse campus in the nation, we are obligated to showcase the full spectrum of thought on our campus.
To ensure that such expression can occur without conflicts with university policy, we are currently developing new protocols, in consultation with the Office of the Provost, which would allow a platform for faculty, staff and students to promote political and social awareness.
In addition, we have talked to faculty who want to organize forums and conversations to build on the excitement that this Presidential campaign has generated among so many.
We will also bring this issue to our Student Government Association (SGA) for feedback. We are committed to enhancing the co-curricular experience of our students, and we welcome the input of the Observer and that of any student, faculty and staff on these issues.
- Clayton Walton is the
Associate Dean/Director at The Paul Robeson Campus Center
I commend you for keeping the issue of student activism, particularly, as it concerns the 2008 Presidential Elections, before the campus community.
It is unfortunate you're your editorials left the impression that the Robeson Center would deny the opportunity for students to exercise the fullest expression of political thought.
We would not.
However, we would like to inform the campus community what we advised the Observer previously.
That is, Stephen Marguet's request to participate in the spring 2008 Paul Robeson Campus Center Student Organization Showcase was denied precisely because, under Rutgers policy, only registered student organizations were allowed to solicit at this event.
In fact, voter registration tables were set up at the event, but no partisan electoral activities.
Generally, political solicitation is prohibited per Rutgers policy Section 50.3.4 Electoral Political Activities and the Use of University Resource. Nevertheless, the Paul Robeson Campus Center staff encouraged Mr. Marguet to partner with some of our student organizations who were already planning to give out campaign materials in order to voice his perspectives and beliefs.
Unfortunately, Mr. Marguet and his team chose not to work with other registered groups but to create a make-shift Obama Support Registration Station during this event.
The gravamen of this matter is not the denial of the right that students absolutely have to express, promote and discuss their political affiliations.
Rather, in this instance, it was solely about the use of university resources to promote one candidate verse another. We were bound to follow university regulation.
As the most diverse campus in the nation, we are obligated to showcase the full spectrum of thought on our campus.
To ensure that such expression can occur without conflicts with university policy, we are currently developing new protocols, in consultation with the Office of the Provost, which would allow a platform for faculty, staff and students to promote political and social awareness.
In addition, we have talked to faculty who want to organize forums and conversations to build on the excitement that this Presidential campaign has generated among so many.
We will also bring this issue to our Student Government Association (SGA) for feedback. We are committed to enhancing the co-curricular experience of our students, and we welcome the input of the Observer and that of any student, faculty and staff on these issues.
- Clayton Walton is the
Associate Dean/Director at The Paul Robeson Campus Center
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