The decision to allow diversity senators to continue within the frames of the new AAS constitution was an "important [decision] that will determine the composition of the senate for this year and for the years to come," said AAS President David Bugge '04E.
The issue of diversity senators was not approached until close to the end of the 90-minute cap previously implemented by the senate. Senator Blake Sparrow '04 motioned to extend the meeting until the diversity senator issue was settled. The motion was passed with several amendments from senators to place limits upon the amount of time allotted to the minority group representatives and to the commenting senators.
All three of the international students, Latino/a and LBGT representatives addressed the points that not all minority students felt comfortable approaching senate members with their concerns. "We don't want a situation where a lot of minority groups do not feel comfortable addressing the senate," said Alan Vasquez '03 on behalf of Latino/a students. "Unfortunately a lot of minority groups do not know their senators … Not everybody is comfortable bringing their case to the Senate and that's the harsh reality,"
"I think that the whole point of this diversity senate seat is to give this community a voice … and to interchange cultural values," said Yusuke Kuwayama '04, the ISA representative. "International students have real and tangible differences … [They] do not go through need-blind admission … [and] have to go through immigration laws and things like … only [being] able to work on campus."
"Having a [LBGT] senator serves as a focal point for Amherst students that haven't necessarily come out … In taking this stance, Amherst will take the stance that we are accepting the gay and lesbian community… it's necessary, almost crucial, for LGBT to have a diversity senator," said Christopher Sorrentino '06, the Pride Alliance representative.
"I feel silenced," said judicial council member Shaun Filiault '04 about being part of the gay community at the College. "Even though I'm sitting in this room I don't feel comfortable. Electing this seat would be an enormous step."
The group representatives faced reluctance among the senate members, many of whom believe that the purpose of the senate is to "represent the student body as a whole," according to Senator Mike Flood '03.
Other members of the senate also expressed their concerns with overcompensating for the "historic silencing" of minority groups by giving them more say. "The whole issue of diversity senate seats violates the whole democratic ideal of one person, one vote," said Senator Lincoln Mayer '04.
"Everybody had a chance to vote in our campus-wide election," said Sorrentino in response to Mayer. "Pride Alliance sent out notices inviting the whole campus to vote, so this is still democratic."
Theodore Hertzberg '04, the representative elected by college conservatives, expressed similar concerns that conservatives on campus were being overlooked. "This is a liberal liberal arts college," said Hertzberg. "The faculty is predominantly liberal with only two registered Republicans on the entire faculty."
Hertzberg also stated his opposition to the idea of diversity seats in general. "The only thing that I want to do on the Senate is to get rid of these damned seats," he said.
Hertzberg also emphasized that the senate's granting of diversity seats Monday was beyond a constitutional question. "The issue of whether or not there should be diversity seats was settled in April," he said. "Yes, diversity seats are anti-democratic, but not allowing the seats to be filled is constitutionally irresponsible.
Some conservative senators expressed their disappointment with Hertzberg's presentation after the conclusion of the meeting and other senators questioned those that voted for ISA, La Causa and the Pride Alliance and against the conservatives.
"It's unfortunate the way that Ted presented the case because people didn't take it seriously," said Senator Eric Osborne '04. "Conservative students weren't kidding when they said they were feeling silenced. I think it was extremely hypocritical for all the students that voted 'yes' on the previous groups to vote 'no' on this one."
In addition to voting on diversity seats. The senate filled several open committees seats and voted on a number of funding allocations.