10-12-2020

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5

MONDAY, OCTOBER 12

VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 16

OPINION

GRAD FAIR

UNITY MARCH

NEWS PAGE 2

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4

SPORTS PAGE 6

NISG senator responds to pro-life group controversy.

A virtual graduation fair kicks off this week.

UNI student-athletes participated in a UNIty march for justice.

Students for Life fails to pass ELIZABETH KELSEY News Editor

A bill which failed to pass in the Northern Iowa Student Government (NISG) on Wednesday evening has generated controversy about free speech and the line between politics and personal opinion. During the NISG meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, Chair of the Organization and Finance Committee Esha Jayswal presented SSB2020-11. The bill communicated the request of UNI Students for Life, an affiliate of the national pro-life group Students for Life, to be allowed to form a student organization at UNI. The bill failed to pass, with those senators who voted in opposition citing concerns related to the “hateful rhetoric” of the group’s national affiliate. However, this decision is seen by many, including other members of NISG, to have violated the NISG constitution and UNI policies, as senators may have allowed personal biases to infringe upon the group’s First Amendment rights. NISG Supreme Court Chief Justice Bekah Bass told the Northern Iowan in an email that “an appeals process has already been initiated concerning SSB 2020-11,” and also noted in an earlier conversation that the initial hearing for this appeal is scheduled for today, Oct. 12. “The NISG Supreme Court is committed to upholding the NISG Constitution and By-Laws, UNI Policies, and governmental legislation,” she wrote.

The Organization

Sophomore history education major Sophia Schuster and several of her peers submitted a request for UNI Students for Life to be considered for registration by NISG in February of 2020. “I want to create a pro-life voice on this campus,” Schuster said in a phone interview with the Northern Iowan. “College campuses are really big abortion hotspots, and I just wanted to be a voice.” Although the group is aligned with the national Students for Life, their proposed constitution does not mention this affiliation, instead focusing on the educational opportunities they hope to offer. “Members of UNI Students for Life work to save lives threatened by induced abortion, euthanasia, and the destruction of human embryos for research,” states the constitution. “Members seek to promote respect for life at UNI and on a local, state, and national level, to educate on life issues, to help those in need so that life is a promising choice, and to work with others who share common goals.” Schuster said that although NISG had planned to vote on their organization in late March, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent campus shutdown postponed the vote. She and her peers were also asked to address several issues with the group’s proposed constitution this fall, she said, but

NISG/Courtesy Photo

NISG met virtually for their eleventh regular Senate meeting on Oct. 7, during which a bill requesting approval to form a UNI chapter of the pro-life group Students for Life failed to pass, generating controversy.

after having made the necessary changes, she was told that NISG would vote on the bill at the Oct. 7 meeting.

As Jayswal presented the bill on Wednesday, she emphasized that the constitution met all university and NISG requirements for approval. While no senators disputed the organization’s constitutionality, many raised concerns about the message that approving its existence would communicate. Senator Mohammad Rawaas directed the Senate to the website of the national Students for Life organization. He pointed out several poten-

tially troubling beliefs held by the group and its president, such as their support for criminalizing abortion in cases of rape and incest as well as a description of the group’s “trained and experienced army of ground troops” among students on U.S. campuses. “As representatives of the university, we have a responsibility for the safety of our students,” he said. “Purely outside of any realm of political bias, I think this is incredibly heinous, and I don’t know why we would be in favor of registering this organization.” Jayswal and Director of Government Relations and Affairs Abigail Kraft pushed back on Rawaas’ argument, citing UNI Students for Life’s

right to express their opinion regardless of the senators’ personal views on that opinion. “We cannot deny an organization based on the possibility that they might take a stance that university might not agree with,” Jayswal said, adding that NISG can deregister an organization if their subsequent actions violate their constitution or university policies. “We should make our decisions solely based on their constitution, and their constitution agrees with everything our university policy lays out. All university students have the right to express their opinions and form groups to share those opinions.”

the 19-year-old Roerig had “found a home” at UNI in his few months on campus, according to a campus-wide email sent Saturday, Oct. 10. He was also involved at St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center and within his residence hall. “He had numerous high school friends, also at UNI, who are grieving his loss,” wrote Vice President for Student Affairs Paula Knudson in the email. “They

describe him as ambitious and talented - a student who worked really hard on his drumming skills and was a great friend. They want to thank him for being a bright light for all and for him to know that he is loved.” For those seeking support in processing this tragedy, Knudson’s email offered multiple resources. Students may call the Counseling Center at (319) 273-2676 at any time and press #2

to speak with a counselor, or visit the Counseling Center between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (emergency walk-in appointments available). The Dean of Students (deanofstudents@uni.edu) can support students seeking assistance in balancing grief, academic and other personal obligations, while faculty and staff are encouraged to access EAP Services for support.

The Meeting

See STUDENTS FOR LIFE, page 2

Event will honor UNI student after passing NI STAFF

A memorial event will be held tonight for a UNI student who passed away last week. Isaac Roerig, a first-year music education major from Sioux City, Iowa, was killed Friday, Oct. 9 after being struck by a semi while outside of his car on Highway 20 near the Hudson Road overpass, according to KWWL. The driver of the semi

has been identified as James Ricke, 71, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, KWWL reported. In honor of Roerig’s life, students and faculty from the School of Music and Panther Marching Band will hold a commemoration on Lawther Field on Monday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. All members of the UNI community may attend and are asked to wear a face covering. The School of Music was one of several places in which


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