Volume 14, Issue 26 - March 27, 1992

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The Metropolitan State College of Denver student newspaper, serving the Auraria Campus since 1979 -

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Candidates present positions MSCD students to vote on presidential hopefuls, variety of referendums Martin Rush Staff Writer

Student government leadership and referendums concerning community service, discrimination and tuition rates are on the ballot for the MSCD elections March 31 through April 2. The candidates for MSCD student government's top offices offer students some clear choices in the upcoming election. Thecompetingtickets-MattTaylor/MarcusDunn and Tom Mestnik/Monica Garcia - spoke to The Metropolitan about their views on student government and various issues facing MSCD students. Following is a summary of their views: Presidential Candidates

Matt Taylor:

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Laura Gragg-TOllll I The Metropolitan

The candidates for student government president and vice president faced off In a debate March 25 in front of the S1udent Union. From left, Marcus Dunn, candidate for vice president with Matt Taylor as president, and Tom Mestnik, candidate for president with Monica Garcia for vice president, fielded questions from the audience and a panel of students.

Taylor believes students should be directing their leaders on the issues they're concerned about, rather than leaders dictating to students: He thinks that MSCD students are primarily concerned with getting a substantial education. "Student government leaders shouldn't be concerned with their own social issues," Taylor says. "And they should listen to all students, not just the ones who vote." He opposes the tuition-by-the-credit-hour concept and the proposal to add up to 200 hours of community see Candidates page 3

Student grievance alleges discrimination by religious group Martin Rush Staff Writer

A gay MSCD student has filed a grievance with the school's Office of Equal Opportunity after allegedly being denied membership in a religious club because of his sexual orientation. Jeff Davidson, acting president of the Auraria Gay and Lesbian Alliance, told the group at its March 13 meeting that he had filed the grievance the day before, after being turned away from Menorah Ministries, an MSCD religious club. The grievance was filed both against the club and the college.

Davidson, who characterized himself as a practicing Christian, said he discussed joining Menorah Ministries with club minister Rick Drebenstedt at the club's table in the Student Union March 12. "He told me you couldn' t be a member if you're gay," Davidson said. MSCD instituted a policy last month forbidding discrimination based on sexual orientation in school employment and student activities. Religious clubs and ROTC were exempted from the policy on constitutional grounds. A protest rally against the new policy will be held on April 16, Davidson said. Letters were being sent to the offices of Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, Gov. Roy

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Tivoli vendors worry about businesses Page 3

MSCD offers real-life forensics training Page 14

Romer and U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder urging them to send representatives to the rally, according to Davidson. Davidson's grievance has been forwarded to the Colorado attorney general's office, said Percy Morehouse, MSCD Affirmative Action officer.

"He told me you couldn't be a member if you're gay."- Jeff Davidson The attorney general's office must decide if the grievance falls within the jurisdiction of existing federal and state statutes, Morehouse said. If it does, MSCD will begin its established grievance procedure, according to

Morehouse. If it does not, the grievance will be dismissed outright. In a related development, SACAB informed the Auraria Board that beginning in the Fall 1992 semester it would deny the use of space in the Student Union to any student club or organization that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. The advisory board voted to treat clubs without a sexual discrimination clause in their constitutions like outside organizations when allotting office and meeting room space. Student government leaders have criticized MSCD's new anti-discrimination policy because they say it allows religious clubs to discriminate against students while accessing student fees and facilities. 0

New attitude helping Peach, baseball team Page 20

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Volume 14, Issue 26 - March 27, 1992 by Met Media - Issuu