The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

SGA debates Glynne graffiti

The Student Government Association issued a statement condemning “hateful attacks,” following a graffiti display targeting SGA Speaker Michael Glynne on the Living and Learning Complex last week. The graffiti, which read, “Mike Glynne is a heterosexist shithead,” likely referenced Glynne’s tiebreaking vote that put a stop to a contentious resolution regarding the American Red Cross last month, SGA Senator John Colin Quinn said. The resolution would have banned the organization from campus because of a policy that does not allow homosexual males to donate blood. The statement, which was released as a part of SGA President Kesha Ram’s weekly campus-wide e-mail, asks students to “approach issues of conflict with care and respect.” Quinn, who authored the ARC legislation, first brought forth the notion of a formal response from SGA regarding the graffiti. He introduced a resolution regarding the issue to the SGA Senate last week. A resolution, however, was not the best way to address the incident, Senator Kaitie Conrad said. She said that acts of hate occur frequently on campus, and that it is unfair to pass legislation regarding just one occurrence. Senator Jay Taylor, chair of the Student Action Committee, strongly supported Quinn’s resolution however. “It sends a clear message about this particular act,” he said. “We have the visibility now, so it is time to come up to the plate.” Conrad eventually motioned to table the resolution, granted a statement would be released by some other means. Taylor was the only senator who voted against the motion. After the resolution was tabled, Senator Scott McCarty, chair of the Committee on Legislative Action, said that the graffiti was “disgusting and unacceptable,” and should have been addressed through legislation. “To see that on the wall of E building [at the Living and Learning Complex] offends me,” McCarty said. “This is not the university I came to,” he continued. “People should know that 15 other people voted with Glynne.” McCarty said that a resolution would have “gotten the point across more headily” than the statement issued Thursday, which he said did not say enough. SGA is expected to vote this week on a follow-up resolution to the ARC resolution that was voted down by Glynne’s tiebreaking vote last month. Instead of demanding that the ARC be banned from campus, it simply urges the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to change its overarching policy, which ARC is required to adhere to.

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SGA debates Glynne graffiti