So . how do you feel about the FDA's lifetime ban on the donation of blood by men who've had sex with men? The issue may not have even been on your radar a month ago, but if you're a semi-aware Penn student, it sure as hell is now.
After the UA initially threw its support behind a proposal urging the University to examine whether the ban violated Penn's discrimination policy, the controversy received prominent exposure in these pages and was picked up by local news affiliates. According to UA chairman Jason Karsh, administrators promised that they would re-examine the issue.
Regardless of what you think about the ban, it was a case study in the power of the UA.
Seemingly, it would be a good thing for our student government to wield influence - but not everyone agrees. Indeed, whenever the UA takes any kind of political stance whatsoever, campus is inevitably flooded with griping about how the "UA shouldn't be involving itself in politics - it's not the UA's role - I want free chocolate milk, etc."
But it's not just UA outsiders who feel this way. Frighteningly, it's UA members too.
Last year, Penn was rocked by the controversial decision to bring pseudo-academic Norman Finkelstein to campus for Palestine Awareness Week - an event sponsored in part by the Political Science department. Hillel and the Penn Israel Coalition responded by bringing a proposal to the UA which called for the University to withdraw its sponsorship.
The UA, for its part, idiotically refused to put the proposal on the agenda (relying on procedural technicalities), thereby preventing a vote on the resolution.
In defending the UA's logic, Wilson Tong (now the UA's vice chairman for External Affairs), wrote on The Spin that, "A vote on the proposal, which was fundamentally politically-charged . [was not] within its purview."
Tong couldn't be more wrong (how's that for a campaign slogan?) I'm sick of hearing how this isn't the UA's "role." Forget your personal opinions on Finkelstein or the FDA ban. The UA should be applauded for taking stances on political issues that directly affect Penn students.
"Directly affect Penn students ." is the operative phrase. It would be patently ridiculous for the UA to come out with, say, an Iraq War resolution.
That said, it is not only the UA's right but its responsibility to represent students on relevant political issues and place pressure on the University accordingly - issues like responsible endowment spending, AlliedBarton guards' working conditions, and yes, controversial speakers.
The UA is the only group on campus which represents the entire undergraduate community. It also happens to be the only group that consistently has the administration's ear. Let's face it: This isn't the 1960s.
The University could start systematically setting fire to West Philadelphia establishments in an effort to gentrify the area and we wouldn't be able to organize a sit-in. We can barely muster up enough sense of civic duty to sign a petition or take a flyer.
If the UA doesn't do it, then no one will (The Daily Pennsylvanian will try, but it represents only a fragment of the Penn community).
Just consider how you would have reacted if some guy was standing on the walk yelling at you to "End the FDA's discrimination against gays!" Even if you were sympathetic to his cause, would you have stopped to talk to him? Didn't think so.
Thankfully, Karsh gets this. "The UA has an obligation to address issues that are of concern to students and which we can have an effect on," Karsh said. "Why else are we here?"
"We have access to the President and the Provost and the EVP and the VP of Security constantly . and to not listen to our constituents would be the worst thing that we could do."
So keep it up, UA. Take political positions and don't apologize for it. You won't hear any complaining from me.
Adam Goodman is a College junior from San Diego. His e-mail address is goodman@dailypennsylvanian.com. The Devil's Advocate appears on Thursdays.
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