The Associated Student Government of Colorado Mesa University tabled a resolution sponsored by Senator Jay Shearrow that would condemn the intentions of Colorado House Bill 18-1206, also known as the Live and Let Live Act.
The bill failed in the Colorado legislature on March 27. The bill proposed allowing businesses and organizations that provide marriage-related services to turn away clients based upon their sexual orientation, arguing that such action defends religious freedom.
Shearrow presented the resolution because CMU does not support discriminatory practices, and he believed ASG should demonstrate their support for the LGBTQ community on campus. Though Shearrow admitted he hadn’t had the time to reach out to either the Gay-Straight Alliance or any of the numerous religious clubs on campus, but he did speak to former senator and Cultural Diversity Board Coordinator Shelby Cerise, who praised the resolution.
“I believe we should speak up and say we don’t support this [bill],” Shearrow said. He believed it was important to send a quick and clear message of support to all minority students on campus.
However, most senators did not share Shearrow’s awareness of the Live and Let Live Act.
When Senator Richard Nguyen asked senators who had heard of the bill before that night’s meeting to raise their hand, few did. He argued this reaction demonstrated a lack of education in ASG regarding the bill to which the resolution responds, and suggested tabling the bill.
“I personally think you should look into this bill before you say you support [this resolution],” Nguyen told senators.
Despite opposition from Shearrow and Senator Amara Hobbs, both of whom believed the resolution should be passed quickly to demonstrate support to their constituents in response to a real-world issue, the resolution was tabled by a majority vote until next week.
Shearrow also co-sponsored a resolution in support of “the creation and operation of the Maverick Teaching Hotel” with Senators Jeff Vela and Jarrott Brown.
Shearrow believed the hotel would be an important development for both students and community members, a point with which Nguyen agreed. Nguyen brought up how many major universities have campus hotels, and such a hotel would allow CMU to house special guests and provide a unique option for Parent’s Weekend.
Vela said the hotel would also allow for students to complete their internships in a more convenient and effective manner.
Following no opposition, the resolution was passed unanimously.
In other action:
ASG passed a bill to allocate $1,200 from the Student-Controlled Reserve Fund to send 20 students from the Graduate Education in Medical Science club, one of CMU’s largest clubs with 96 members, to tour the medical center at the University of Utah. After an endorsement from Senator Celeste Martinez, who worked closely with the club, the bill was passed unanimously.
ASG passed a bill to allocate $2,887 to provide two Capitol Conference scholarships, an allocation ASG typically makes every year. The funds were pulled from the Environmental Reserve Budget, which is intended to be used for expenditures to improve the campus community. The bill passed with six abstentions.
ASG allocated $500 from their operating budget to purchase 1,000 water bottle stickers to give to students who vote in the upcoming election. The bill passed unanimously.
ASG discussed three bills which make technical amendments and clarifications to the ASG bylaws. Two of the three were eligible to be voted upon this week, but senators agreed to prepare all three for a vote next week, at the suggestion of Vice President Gabby Gile.
