6 February 1990
By Jill Miranda Staff Writer
For the past two years, the Bill of Rights has been missing from the Lynchburg College Hornet, and as a result many students have been unaware of their rights.
The Senate has taken action to revise the Bill of Rights and put them back in The Hornet.
“As of now there are different sections in The Hornet that arc in conflict with the Bill of Rights,” said junior Carter Wyant, chair of the Senate, “and revisions need to be made.”
The Senate has made major revisions concerning off-campus conduct and policy and has tried to define what “poses a continuing threat” to the LC community as stated in the Bill.
In talking with the administration, the Senate took the stand that the rights of students have been violated since the Bill of Rights has not been included in the Hornet.
Wyant said, The Bill of Rights should stand as is because not being in The Hornet went against the rights and we were not made aware of them.”
In opposition, the administration’s stand is that anything done prior to the Bill of Rights has precedence over it. Wyant said, “Any policy elsewhere in The Hornet against the Bill overrides the BUI.”
The Off-Campus Board approval will “put more power in the students hands” said Wyant, “and will hopefully end up being more preventive than disciplinary.”
The Bill of Rights revisions will be reviewed by the faculty on Tuesday and if approved wUl go before the Board of Trustees in March. From there, the decision is in their hands.
The problem with that is the Board of Trustees can disregard any prior changes and make their own.
As Wyant stated, “This school is by no means a democracy because the Board has the final say in everything.”
Other plans in the Senate include a Peer Watch Program and a new budget form.
The Peer Watch Program is a combination of Safe Rides and the escort service.
There will be a general meeting on Friday Feb. 9. All students interested in volunteering should attend.
The plan is to have student escorts to attend the parties and find out who needs to be walked somewhere or needs a ride. Eight people are needed a night: four on fool, two in a van, and two taking phone calls.
This system will be effective,” said Wyant, “if students are aware that other students care.” The number to remember is 522-0657.
On Sunday, Feb. 11, there will be a Senate meeting to discuss new budgets for clubs and organizations.
The Senate has been allotted money for the semester and will decide the need on the basis of written proposals by club leaders.
The Senate wants “to make sure the students know we are there for them,” said freshman Bob Duff, senator of Freer.
He also said, “The faculty and administration are offering more support than first anticipated.”