Endorsement creates discord

Friday, 4/18/97 Endorsement creates discord USAC’s support of
Muslim Student Association program called inappropriate by some

By Stefanie Wong Daily Bruin Contributor A controversial program
sponsored by the Muslim Student Association (MSA) has renewed
questions in some campus quarters over student government’s role in
political and religious debates at UCLA. The MSA program, which was
endorsed by a student government office, was called "Israeli
‘independence’: celebrating 49 years of Oppression." According to
MSA President Ben Wang, the program was designed to look at the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a point of view not usually
explored. Posters that read "’Israel’ = occupied Palestine" and
"Denying the existence of a people (Palestinians)?" were displayed
on Bruin Walk over the past few days as part of the program. The
placards, which were placed in high traffic areas near Meyerhoff
Park, disturbed some members of the campus Jewish community. A few
were even torn down Tuesday afternoon. Since then, heated debates
have erupted on Bruin Walk between members of the UCLA Jewish and
Muslim communities over the contents of the remaining posters. In
addition, members of the Jewish Student Union (JSU) and Jewish
newsmagazine Ha’Am questioned the program’s endorsement by student
government offices and various other newsmagazines and student
advocacy groups, arguing that such groups should not be involved
with such a politically charged program. The 1993 California
Supreme Court case Smith vs. UC Regents outlawed the use of
mandatory student fees in funding religious or political programs.
In 1995, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Rosenberger vs. the
University of Virginia superceded most funding guidelines
established by Smith vs. Regents, and student governments now have
more leeway in how they use student fees. Rosenberger also
preserves the students’ right to request a refund of mandatory fees
established by Smith vs. Regents. But in the situation involving
MSA, the Undergraduate Student Association Council (USAC) offices
did not contribute any student money to the program, which made the
groups’ endorsement of the program legal even under Smith vs.
Regents, said undergraduate President John Du. "Any sort of support
from the student government was just the endorsement of our cause,
perspective and purpose. There wasn’t any financial support," Wang
said. "All the costs of the boards and posters came out of our own
pockets." "If fees were used we are protected by Rosenberger, and
if fees were used students could receive a refund if they chose to
according to Smith," said Academic Affairs Commissioner Max
Espinoza. "But in this case, student government fees were not used
in any way," he added. Under the previous rules student governments
could still legally take religious and political stands, and
boundaries are drawn only when mandatory student money becomes
involved, Du said. Despite the legality of the situation, JSU is
questioning if it was responsible for the student government to
support the MSA program because it is such a controversial issue.
"(The student government) shouldn’t involve themselves in this type
of program because it’s purely propaganda and between two
organizations," said JSU President Josh Geffon. "If people want to
know the issues then that’s great, but it should definitely not
have any organizations co-sponsoring this programs," he added.
However, MSA believes the student government had every right to
become involved with the program. "I think whether or not something
is controversial shouldn’t matter. It should be if the issue is
just and we’re standing up for the truth," Wang said. He cited the
recent campaigns dealing with affirmative action, lower
registration fees and Proposition 209 as controversial issues that
the student government has involved itself with over the past year.
According to Espinoza, his office sponsors many programs over the
course of the year and is willing to lend assistance to any group.
"Our office staff reviewed the materials that MSA brought to me.
All of it was in quotes and cited with sources. JSU claims that
they were taken out of context. But I could not have known that,"
Espinoza said. "My job is to look at a program, look at what
they’ve put together and if everything looks OK, I cannot deny
supporting a program," he added. JUSTIN WARREN/Daily Bruin (From
left) Muslim students Ahmed Shama and Masood Khan argue with Yosi
Sergant and Karen Springer over signs like the one shown (lower
right) which members of the Muslim Student Association posted
around campus to advertise an alternative view of the anniversary
of formation of the Israeli state. Jewish Community Network