To the Editor:

Re: “S.A. Halts Creation of Student Groups,” News, Jan. 30 & “Taking Pause,” Editorial, Jan. 30

As a current assembly member who voted in opposition to Resolution 21, I feel compelled to write a dissenting opinion regarding the overly positive articles presented in The Sun last Friday. The intentions of R. 21 and its sponsors are undoubtedly good, but I would like to issue a word of caution to all students. The right to organize freely and without restrictions on campus should not be impeded by any authority, whether it be the Student Assembly or Cornell University. The creation of the Student Organization Auditing Task Force and the consequences of such a group may lead to greater restriction of student rights to organize, use campus facilities and apply for SAFC funding. In a time of economic crisis, a need for austerity and fiscal restraint is necessary, but R. 21’s goal of reducing “overlap” between current student groups and increasing S.A. oversight may be viewed as an abuse of power. To avoid this potential perception, decisions rendered by the Task Force must occur with total transparency. I am also concerned about the implications such a committee may have on the formation of new organizations. Imposing a more stringent application process on the creation of student groups may encroach upon our constitutional rights of assembly and speech.

As your representative, I feel that it is my job to ensure you are afforded every right to organize and express yourself freely. As students, you also have a duty to make sure these rights are not abrogated. With the passage of R.21, I ask that you keep a close eye on all your student representatives to ensure that this necessary audit does not lead to a restriction of your freedoms.

Vincent Andrews ’11

At-Large Representative, Student Assembly