Council rejected a bill last night to send a referendum concering hate crimes to the spring ballot.
The bill needed three-fourths of Council approval, and it failed by a vote 8-13. As the only order of old business, the referendum on the ballot would have asked students whether they would like the University Judiciary Committee to create "specific and severe punishment guidelines" for hate crimes.
"We should have this put on the referendum so students can decide," College Rep. Tom Gibson said. "UJC can decide what they want to do. We have a serious issue that happens on a weekly basis. It is time that Student Council does something about it."
Some Council representatives argued that Council should not interfere with UJC matters and procedures.
"The UJC works case by case, so having specific provisions for punishment wouldn't work," College Rep. and UJC member Kelly Mulfinger said. "There is a trial for guilt and a trial for sanction. Sanction is when we decide motive. Putting this on the referendum is not the best way to do this."
Council president Noah Sullivan said punishment for hate crimes is a student concern.
"This is a student process, not a UJC process," Sullivan said. "Put it on the ballot and let's talk about it."
Gavin Reddick, a representative from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, said he was concerned about Council's minimal interaction with the UJC.
"This isn't stirring proper debate about the issue," Reddick said. "We should put this off until we have further debate."
Another piece of failed legislation was a bill to place another referendum on the spring ballot asking students if they want tobacco products to continue to be sold through University Dining Services.
Council unanimously passed a resolution commending the generosity of Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato. Sullivan said the bill will not only function to commend Sabato, who donated $1 million to the University last week, but also will serve as a fundraising tool.
Council also unanimously passed a bill to respectfully recognize the death of third-year Commerce student Shawn Michael Bryant, who died in a car accident last Saturday.
Council left three bills on the table to be voted on Tuesday, including a resolution encouraging the cessation of tobacco sales on Grounds as well as two resolutions regarding course evaluations.
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