American Civil Liberties Union
Mount Holyoke College
2160 Blanchard Student Center
South Hadley, MA 01075
May 9, 2006
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Dear Sir or Madam:
On Tuesday, May 2, 2006, the Mount Holyoke College Student Government Association (SGA) passed a resolution affirming the principles of Mount Holyoke College in light of military recruitment on our campus. The resolution, which was proposed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College (ACLU of MHC), passed with a vote of 29 yeas, one nay, and six abstentions.
Enclosed, you will find a copy of the resolution which states: “the Mount Holyoke College community opposes discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.” This resolution condemns the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of the United States Armed Forces because it is antithetical to our college’s beliefs and values. The diversity of Mount Holyoke’s student body makes an important contribution to our community. In order to maintain this diversity, it is essential that equality be preserved for all students. The current military policy, and the presence of recruiters on campus, hinders the protection of a safe space on campus for all individuals. Complying with the constraints of the Solomon Amendment, this resolution urges the administration to provide all recruiters copies of the College’s official non-discrimination statement. This act demonstrates the student body’s disapproval of the military’s discriminatory policy.
The resolution was ratified after a month of debate among the entire student body in many forums. The resolution was first presented to the Mount Holyoke College Student Government Association in March of 2006, who then voted to postpone voting on the resolution to ensure that proper deliberation occurred among all members of the Mount Holyoke College Student Body. In order to gauge the opinions of their constituents, Student Government senators asked members of the Mount Holyoke Community to voice their opinions and concerns about the resolution in Student Government Association meetings, as well as in individual dorm meetings in the form of community talk-backs.
If you require further information, please feel free to contact the American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College.
Sincerely,
Katherine Greenier
ACLU of MHC Vice-President