This letter is in response to the editorial “Walk isolates supporters,” which appeared in the March 29 issue. The editorial criticized the 24-hour walk, held on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The walk was held as a non-partisan, student-initiated attempt to increase awareness on a variety of issues affecting Boston University students, with a particular emphasis on adding “sexual orientation” to BU’s anti-discrimination policy. While Spectrum did endorse this event, we did not organize it. Matt D’Olimpio, RHA President for 10 Buick Street, was the primary organizer. The fact that he and the other students who organized the walk went through such trouble shows the widespread student support of the anti-discrimination proposal that Spectrum and the Student Union sent to President Westling last week.
Spectrum has been actively working for this cause since the end of last year. This fall, we contacted the Student Union, and with them we drafted this latest proposal. We have also started a letter-writing campaign to show the administration the far-reaching student support, and last Thursday we held an informational discussion session. During the session, audience members suggested contacting alumni, asking for their help in this fight. The best way for alumni to help is to let the administration know that they support this change. Withholding contributions until that change is effected is certainly a strong way of relaying this message. Just as valuable as alumni support, if not more important, are letters and phone calls from students and parents, who pay $24,000 in tuition each year. We — the students — must make this happen; we cannot simply stand silently and expect this change to occur.
The addition of sexual orientation to the non-discrimination policy of BU is not just a Spectrum cause; it represents the basic right that all BU students have to live and to learn without fear.
Spectrum gratefully thanks everyone who has shown his or her support, and we pledge not to give up until BU students — all BU students — are protected against falling victim to discrimination.
Emily Lyman Spectrum President
Adam J. Bravo Vice President
Jasmine Smith-Gillen Secretary
Vikash Mishra Treasurer
Luis Iglesias Public Relations Chair
This is an account occasionally used by the Daily Free Press editors to post archived posts from previous iterations of the site or otherwise for special circumstance publications. See authorship info on the byline at the top of the page.
