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Noose controversy sparks SGA action |
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Wednesday, 16 April 2008 |
by ANNE BAKER
News Reporter
The Student Government Association Senate unanimously passed legislation at its meeting Tuesday evening that will seek additional information concerning the noose incident on campus.
Senators John B. Bradley and Sarah C. Morris presented the bill, which calls for “the complete disclosure of information regarding the noose incident which occurred on campus, and which the university was made aware of on March 19, 2008.”
According to the bill, the legislation was deemed necessary after reports in The Appalachian, as well
as rumors circulating within the student body, called the racial nature of the incident into question.
“Right now we are just wanting to know what happened on campus,” Bradley said.
The campus community received an e-mail from Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock in March that
contained a press release stating there had been a noose displayed in a campus building.
According to the e-mail, the university had taken “appropriate internal actions in response to the
incident,” but declined to say what those actions were and what they involved due to “North Carolina
personnel statutes.”
Although two open forums were held after the e-mail from the chancellor was sent out, there was no
additional information provided to those attending the sessions outside of what was written in the press
release.
The legislation passed by the SGA Senate includes 14 different questions, which will be presented to
the administration in hopes that their answers will give the student body a better idea of the details
surrounding both the noose and the administrative response.
Bradley said the intent of the legislation is not to harm anyone who might be involved with the incident.
This includes any students who may be connected to the event, he said.
The questions within the bill do not ask for the student’s name, academic or personal records.
SGA president Forrest S. Gilliam said he plans to review the legislation and make sure the attached
questions are appropriate, and if they are, he will sign the bill and meet with Chancellor Peacock.
“I hope to report back to senate at our meeting next week, if possible,” he said.
Check back with The Appalachian for additional updates on the administration’s response.
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