Boston University has been and claims to continue to be at the avant-garde of human rights. It proudly proclaims that it were the first predominantly white university to appoint a black dean and affectionately posts quotes of famous alumnus Martin Luther King Jr., boasting one of the most diverse and international campuses in the country. Administrators have been champions of civil rights for the last half century, and proudly so, and we feel they should continue to be.
That is what makes it such a shock that the administration is creating such a difficult situation in amending the nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation. Many members of the BU community and I support this addition to the clause. We feel it’s necessary not only for the protection of the Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgendered community but also as a statement that discrimination of any kind, toward any group cannot, should not and will not be tolerated.
We are asking for all who support this clause and who support the rights of minority groups of any kind to join us for any part of our 24-hour walk starting today at noon until tomorrow in support of the addition of this clause. The walk will begin at Marsh Plaza at noon and participants will convene in front of the George Sherman Union every hour. The march will follow a path along Commonwealth Avenue between Danielsen Hall and West Campus. It will end with a Spectrum rally on Marsh Plaza Wednesday at noon.
We are attempting to create a coalition between student groups, student leaders and the student community to make a statement to the administration that this is a cause we will not let die, that will not be swept under the rug and that it will not go away quietly.
With all that being said, this is not a call to arms. This is not a protest, sit-in or a march against the administration. Instead, it is a statement and should be treated as such. We welcome the administration, faculty and any other interested parties to join us and show their support. This should not be a fight — it should be a cooperation of all parties concerned. We hope to see you all walking with us.
Matthew D’Olimpio President, 10 Buick St. Residence Hall Association CAS ’02
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