At the last SGA Senate meeting of the semester, the Senate debated a resolution to support Scouts for Equality, an organization working to change the Boy Scouts of America’s LGBTQ policy and create and inclusive environment for all individuals who wish to become Boy Scouts. The legislation passed in a 19-0-13 vote.
Senior Mat Goldberg proposed the resolution the day of the meeting. In two weeks, the Boy Scouts of America will vote on a proposed change to its LGBTQ policy that says, “No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”
“Many of Elon’s values and mantras attract boy scouts to campus,” Goldberg said. “That bond and camaraderie is really special, and having Elon help make it an inclusive community is really important to me.”
Many senators abstained from voting on the resolution because they said they felt they didn’t have enough time or information to form an educated opinion about whether the resolution reflects the interest of Elon’s student body.
“How many of us have talked to our constituents?” asked Connor O’Donnell, senior class president. “If you haven’t, then you’re voting with your personal ideology and not representing the students. I’m not well-versed enough to issue a statement, and I think a lot of us are in the same boat.”
O’Donnell and others advocated tabling the resolution until the Senate reconvenes in the fall.
Other senators said the resolution clearly reflected Elon’s stance on diversity and should be passed on principle. They highlighted the time-sensitive nature of the issue, as well.
“Diversity is one of the main buzzwords on campus, and this is the perfect opportunity to say we are who we say we are,” said John Crowder, representative of the Elon College of Arts and Sciences. “Voting against this would be unconscionable in my opinion.”
In other news, the Senate voted to allocate more money to the Homecoming Committee in an effort to book a high caliber performer for the Homecoming concert. The Senate also allocated $8,000 to the Student Union Board to help purchase a new SafeRides van.