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[cccpres2b]

I work at a California community college where there has been expressed interest on a proposition for the November election, to ban gay marriage in the state. The campus I work is ultra-conservative, in the heart of Orange County, the bible-belt of California. 

As the Director of the Cultural Center, I am resposible for providing information and awareness of diversity issues and awareness of homophobia, racism, inequality, stereotyping, intolerance and such matters on campus.

Last week during club rush day on campus, the Later Day Saints Society(LDSS) student club, rather than having a table to recruit for new club members, draped its table with signs to support the ban of gay marriage, with Yes on Prop. 8 signs on all sides of the table, and voter registration on the table, with literature on the Yes on prop. 8 campiagn.  As I was walking around the club rush activiites, members of the student gay club, Lambda, asked me why there was political activity during the club rush event. I went to the Director of Student Activities, "Mark". Mark said that he had checked that table and they are indeed a student group. Mark said the group had information about the student club, LDSS. When I approached the LDSS table, there was no indication they were a student group. All the signage was to support the ban on gay rights, and the Yes on Prop. 8 posters. When I oberved the table with more attention, I saw that the students had written on one of the poster, LDSS, very clearly as an afterthought. 

When I had spoken to Mark, it was clear that Mark supports the ban, he even used the campaigns target argument, that Prop. 8 protects marriage, making it recognized by the state as an act between one man, and one woman.  In fact Prop. 8 will amend the state constitution and take away rights that gay people currently have.  The rhetoric is that having same-sex marriage will force schools to teach kindergarten children about same-sex marriage. There have been many out-of-state special interest religious conservative groups coming into California to support this ban.

My question is, as a Director of the Cultural Center on campus, should I push the point that Mark, the Director of Student Activities is clearly supporting political behavior and this behavior is causing stress to the gay students on campus, creating an atmosphere of unfair treatment. Mark as the Director of Student Activities condoned the LDSS political campaign during a campus event, Club Rush. Or should I just button my lip, and bury my head in the sand???

[zharkov]

Was political activity specifically prohibited? 

[locutus]

Tough one. The issue is that LDSS and Lambda are treated the same. Obviously they both have differing positions on the Prop, which is fine. They both should be allowed to express that within whatever rules and regulations the university has.

I might talk to Mark. It's fine to allow (or not allow) political behavior. But it has to be even handed. The director of student activities can't support one group over another.

[inthelab]

The director of student activities can't support one group over another.

The director of student activities should openly support neither, but see to it that the CC's policies are met.  IMO.

[concordancia]

  The rhetoric is that having same-sex marriage will force schools to teach kindergarten children about same-sex marriage.

It has been awhile, but the only time I remember the topic of marriage coming up in grade school, much less kindergarten, was if someone was chanting "First comes love..." I really don't remember any teaching on the subject.

[zharkov]

  The rhetoric is that having same-sex marriage will force schools to teach kindergarten children about same-sex marriage.

It has been awhile, but the only time I remember the topic of marriage coming up in grade school, much less kindergarten, was if someone was chanting "First comes love..." I really don't remember any teaching on the subject.

FWIW, they're thinking of a kids' book, Heather has Two Mommies.

Real outlandish stuff: Here's Heather.  Here's her dog Spot.  Here is Mommy Jane.  Here is Mommy Alice.

A sure recipe for warping a 5 year old's mind.

[cccpres2b]

Yeah, I'm not sure about the policy on political activity, but it raises the question of hostile environment for students. I am under the impression that the Lamba Club was within their right to have the opposing viewpoint, and should have had No on Prop. 8 posters up, but they feel intimidated by the strength of the religious right here in OC.

It doesn't help that there are headlines about lesbian weddings and school kids ditching class to attend in San Francisco see article below.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/11/MNFG13F1VG.DTL&hw=lesbian+marry&sn=008&sc=423

I would rather public schools focus on the three R's than to add marriage to the curriculum, myself.

[locutus]

Yeah, I'm not sure about the policy on political activity, but it raises the question of hostile environment for students. I am under the impression that the Lamba Club was within their right to have the opposing viewpoint, and should have had No on Prop. 8 posters up, but they feel intimidated by the strength of the religious right here in OC.

If everyone's following the rules and not harassing other students then I don't think it's really a 'hostile work environment' in the technical sense. I'm not surprised the Lambda students feel uncomfortable, but there's nothing to be enforced if both groups are given the same latitude. Intimidation based solely on the existence of an opposing side, even if in great numbers, is not a good basis for a complaint. IMO.

If there's something specific the LLDS students are doing, other than just existing and disagreeing, then there might be something.

[tuxedo_cat]

Hey cccpres2b -- I'm glad you're trying to engage in some kind of response here.  In my experience with teaching on a non-gay-friendly campus, I think it matters quite a lot to GLBT students if there are staff or faculty who are willing to back them or help them to face up to intimidation by other groups.  Have you sat down with student leaders from Lambda to see what their concerns are, and to let them know that you were concerned?  Is it possible there will be another occasion soon for such promotion of political issues when they might want to be able to respond?   

You will know better about your own campus's policies about accepted activities for a political organization (were the people at the table even students?), esp. using club rush day for other political activities.  I would think that the campus would not allow that kind of appropriation of student space.

Since you've sorted out what "Mark"'s likely position is, you might want to (1) meet with the Lambda students for their input and then (2) communicate with the administrator one rank up from you and Mark (I'm guessing you probably have the same boss?), simply to inquire about what is appropriate activity for such an event -- not to call him or the LDSS students out on anything, just to clarify for yourself what the campus guidelines are for future events.  Perhaps you'll encounter a similar indifference by higher-ups and nothing in particular will happen.

But for the Lambda students, knowing that someone like you has decided not to "stick his head in the sand" will really matter.

Good luck!

[jonesey]

Yeah, I'm not sure about the policy on political activity,

You need to be, especially if you're the Director of the Cultural Center.  

I'm not sure that the OC is as conservative as it once was, but I'm familiar with what you're dealing with.  FWIW, the LDS church is the largest single sponsor of Prop 8 in California, with some families donating over $50,000 to the cause.  It's a huge issue with Mormons, and California has the highest LDS population outside of Utah.  

Check your campus regs and then determine what to do.  

[offthemarket]

Fundamentalist conservative groups have been stepping all over progressive groups for years, taking advantage of the ethical bent of progressives to question fairness.

They don't care about fairness, they care about winning.

They established a shell 'student group' to do conduct a political campaign on campus.  Get down in the dirt with them.  Get lambda to call them them out on the fact that they're not a genuine student group.  Get lambda a table right next to 'em, and sit at that table campaigning to protect marriage from homophobic bigots.

[zharkov]

OP, if you were evil like me, you'd "suggest" to the Lambdas to join forces with the Fundies, maybe even get Brother Jed, and annoy the LDSS.

[allbutfoundajob]

Fundamentalist conservative groups have been stepping all over progressive groups for years, taking advantage of the ethical bent of progressives to question fairness.

They don't care about fairness, they care about winning.

They established a shell 'student group' to do conduct a political campaign on campus.  Get down in the dirt with them.  Get lambda to call them them out on the fact that they're not a genuine student group.  Get lambda a table right next to 'em, and sit at that table campaigning to protect marriage from homophobic bigots.

What horrible advice.  It is just as wrong for a director of the cultural center to sit at a table with lambda as it would be for the director to sit at a table with the LDSS.  As long as both are student groups, the director must be impartial and provide equivalent services to each student group.

[cccpres2b]

I decided to get futher clarification on the policy for political activity and student clubs. My main concern is that political activity was taking place during a campus-wide club recruitment day. Since then I have suggested a meeting witht the Director of Student Activities.

Political Campaign Materials are not permissible on campus for any reason, unless for the following purposes:
1.) Using in the Free Speech Area (request needs to be registered through the through the Master Calendar/Public Information office for the day/time of use)
2.) As part of a Club/Org. display that has been registered through the Master Calendar/EMS or Free Speech Use Processes
3.) As a Distribution of Printed Materials Request in the A.S. and/or Club Mailboxes.
4.) Presentations at A.S. and Club Meetings
All other considerations, including, but not limited to displaying, storing or carrying the items anywhere on campus are not permissible as noted in Board Policy 6310 and 7370.

I have decided to meet with the Director over the issue, but since then supporters/opposers of the Proposition 8 have been very active on campus using the Free Speech area, with no disruption. In fact, many students have been involved in on-going discussion in a civil way.  Throughout the city, many youth groups have formed informal demonstrations as well. This proposition is definately getting youth involved in the elections as never before. Very nice to see!

[allbutfoundajob]

I decided to get futher clarification on the policy for political activity and student clubs. My main concern is that political activity was taking place during a campus-wide club recruitment day. Since then I have suggested a meeting witht the Director of Student Activities.

Political Campaign Materials are not permissible on campus for any reason, unless for the following purposes:
1.) Using in the Free Speech Area (request needs to be registered through the through the Master Calendar/Public Information office for the day/time of use)
2.) As part of a Club/Org. display that has been registered through the Master Calendar/EMS or Free Speech Use Processes
3.) As a Distribution of Printed Materials Request in the A.S. and/or Club Mailboxes.
4.) Presentations at A.S. and Club Meetings
All other considerations, including, but not limited to displaying, storing or carrying the items anywhere on campus are not permissible as noted in Board Policy 6310 and 7370.

I have decided to meet with the Director over the issue, but since then supporters/opposers of the Proposition 8 have been very active on campus using the Free Speech area, with no disruption. In fact, many students have been involved in on-going discussion in a civil way.  Throughout the city, many youth groups have formed informal demonstrations as well. This proposition is definately getting youth involved in the elections as never before. Very nice to see!

I can not believe that such draconian rules on free speech would be considered Constitutional.  Is this a publicly funded college?