CORRECTION: MARCH 14 2019 10:31 A.M.: The seconded motion to approve Shapiro was made by Christopher Clay, Arend and Boppell zone representative, (per ASWU meeting minutes) not David Martin, Duvall senator as previously stated.
With the AWSU assembly vote tied nine to nine, President Tersa Almaw served as a tiebreaker, voting in opposition of inviting Shapiro, a popular conservative commentator who was recently turned down by Gonzaga University.
Over 100 people came to the ASWU meeting on Wednesday, March 13, to witness the vote and make their voices heard. Members of the Whitworth chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) made their case for bringing Shapiro to campus and answered senators’ questions, after which the floor was opened for discussion.
Approximately a dozen students shared their opinions, including members of the Generation Action club and Pride Club, as well as former YAF members. Residence hall senators expressed the difficulty they experienced in placing their votes, saying their constituents were split on the issue.
After nearly 90 minutes of back and forth between those present, Boppell senator Sarah Haman made a motion to vote on the issue. Christopher Clay, Arend and Boppell zone representative, seconded the motion. That vote resulted in a tie, which Almaw proceeded to break by voting against Shapiro’s proposed lecture on campus. At this point, the meeting was adjourned.
Director of Student Activities Jason Chapman said he felt the tension present in the room, and understood the gravity of the situation.
“These issues are not simple and there was not a clear majority. I think this is reflective of today’s political climate,” he said. “At the end of the day, I think ASWU stuck to the platform they ran on last spring of transparency and unity.”
It is unclear at this point how YAF will proceed and whether they will seek permission to invite a different speaker.
[email protected] • Mar 15, 2019 at 7:34 pm
As a former ASWU President and EVP, I am saddened to see, to Jerrod Jarvis’ point, that students were not given the opportunity to welcome such a speaker on campus as Shapiro. The honor ASWU has as a collective body is to represent and provide opportunities for all student groups on campus to hear and engage differing perspectives. Considering, based on the article, the student population was split over this, I am surprised it was voted down. I understand being in a "damned if you do, damned if you don’t" position, however, seeing the divide in the student body should have tipped off leaders there is desire to hear Shapiro. The opportunity to bring a speaker of a different world view in order to encourage more courageous conversation is always within their power.
[email protected] • Mar 15, 2019 at 4:47 pm
I’m not sure if it’s sadder than the student body was denied an opportunity to listen to/debate with Shapiro and his ideas, or that he’s regarded as a hate monger. Shapiro can certainly go overboard at times, and while his sharpest rhetoric is typically aimed at ideas and arguments he disagrees with, he does occasionally stoop to attacking specific people. However, even those attacks are aimed at those peoples’ actions, not their identity (aka, I’ve never heard him say anything remotely racist or homophobic, at least not by the classical definitions of those terms).
If we’re throwing speakers like Shapiro in the bin with the David Dukes and Louis Farrakhans of the world, then we’ve lost our ability to discern between hatred and disagreement.
That being said, as a former Whitworthian editor in chief, I appreciate the reporting on the issue. There’s a lot of private schools that would weaponize the school newspaper to do PR work – it doesn’t appear that’s happened here, and I’m glad to see that’s still a value the university holds.
[email protected] • Mar 15, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Being a Christian myself I feel embarrassed to read that you have denied Ben Shapiro from speaking at the university. I read about executives, Almaw and Boateng, and they speak about "Sparking conversation about different issues….." "Bringing together different groups that feel their voices are not being heard…" "Democracy," "Change and new ideas."
I am an immigrant from Uruguay, a Catholic country. My grandfather was ambassador to the Vatican. His teachings were that we accept, rather, WELCOME, other beliefs, other interpretations, in the quest for unity and peace. After 50 years in this country I’ve come to love its uniqueness and feel very much American.
Therefore I feel embarrassed and hurt, as a Christian, that you are operating in step with those who are denying different opinions, and who are increasingly eliminating Christianity from our all-embracing American culture!!! You are joining their forces!!! This is wrong! It is cowardice! You will be held responsible when Christians are forced to hide their beliefs and be afraid, as Jews are feeling today.
Shame on you!!!
[email protected] • Mar 14, 2019 at 10:28 pm
Wow asdf asdf you are a swift and effective troll. I am interested on what you base this judgement of Whitworth University on? A visit to the campus? A family member in school? You are a resident of Spokane and was hoping to meet Ben Shapiro? Are you a member of the Whitworth staff or student body? Why do you hope that Ben Shapiro comes to town? All of these facts do matter.
[email protected] • Mar 14, 2019 at 6:18 pm
Whitworth University has a policy of hating white people, men and Christians. Which is ironic since it claims to be a Christian university. But I guess that’s what happens when all your faculty members are radical alt-left cultural Marxists. I’d feel pretty stupid if my kid went there. I’m certainly not going to hire anyone with Whitworth on their resume.