A new organization on Grounds hopes to raise student awareness and encourage activism on issues concerning individual rights. At its meeting last night, Student Council granted Contracted Independent Organization status to the University branch of the American Civil Liberties Union.
According to the University's ACLU chapter founder, second-year College student Andrew Borchini, the mission of the University ACLU branch will be "to inspire students to fight apathy and injustice in and beyond the U.Va. community."
To be approved as a CIO, Student Council members must vote on whether an organization meets several criteria concerning the makeup of its members. Two of the requirements state at least 51 percent of the group's members must be students and the group's officers must all be full-time, fee paying students.
"We found no reason not to grant the group CIO status," Vice President for Organizations Kelly Harris said.
The process of starting up the group began when Borchini contacted the state and national branches of the ACLU several weeks ago. So far, approximately 70 students have expressed interest in the group by subscribing to its e-mail list. The organization will meet every other Tuesday starting next week, Borchini said.
The University's ACLU branch plans to educate students on issues pertinent to civil liberties, including a student's right to due process in honor offenses, the authority of University police and other officials on Grounds and violations of students' individual rights.
To promote student participation in its cause, the University ACLU "will bring speakers to the University, host an awareness week in the fall and spring semesters, provide a very comprehensive Web page and work with existing groups designed to advance civil liberties," he said.
Founded in 1920, the ACLU has grown to include about 300,000 members nation wide. The organization works on all levels in protecting the civil liberties specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights and the amendments that deal with civil rights in the Constitution.
In previous years, the Commonwealth's ACLU branch has been successful in planning events, such as Banned Book Week in September, said Kinsey Paiste, public education coordinator for the Virginia chapter.
Paiste said they are looking forward to working with the University branch in spreading the message of student's rights.
Read More
Professors speak about leading productive dialogue on Israel-Hamas war
By Lexie Stadler | 4 hours agoThe event was hosted by the University’s Task Force on Religious Diversity and Belonging, which is designed to ensure that the University is welcoming to community members from all religions and cultures.
Honor Committee considers formal ban of AI detectors as evidence in trials
By Lexie Stadler | YesterdayThe Committee also addressed balancing student perspectives with those of Committee representatives during panel discussions.
Pro-Palestinian protesters form encampment near University Chapel
By CD News Staff | YesterdayThe encampment overlapped with a separate “May Day” protest on the Lawn, which was hosted by student activist group U.Va. Dissenters and the U.Va. Apartheid Divest Coalition.
