Anti-occupation banner controversial

By Sophia Chakos-Leiby

Daily Bruin Contributor

Issues of the Undergraduate Students Association Council’s
accountability and neutrality as a governing body arose when
students hung a controversial sign outside the window of
USAC’s Cultural Affairs office during a speakout addressing
conflict in the Middle East on Thursday.

The sign ““ a banner that read “End the
Occupation” that stretched from the third floor window to a
couple feet above the ground ““ advocated Israeli withdrawal
from Palestinian territory.

Some students did not know the office space belonged to USAC
““ who has not officially taken a stance on the Mideast
conflict.

“This doesn’t represent USAC’s position, or
even the position of the Cultural Affairs office,” said
Cultural Affairs Commissioner Rahul Marwah.

President of the Jewish Student Union, Justin Levi, said he saw
the sign during the rally. Though it was not directly hung by the
council, Levi said that because it was technically on their
property, the sign seemed to represent USAC’s political
stance.

“They have no right to advocate something that does not
affect the university and alienates a lot of students on
campus,” he said.

No complaints have been made to the Cultural Affairs office,
said chief of staff Luke Patterson ““ who said he allowed
students to come in during the rally and hang up the sign.

As long as a message does not advocate violence or illegal
activity, Patterson said, he would not turn down any group who
wants to hang a sign.

“We are open to every political view; everyone should have
a voice and be heard,” Marwah said.

Though people do not come to the Cultural Affairs office asking
to hang banners often, Marwah said, the office has hung political
material before “”mdash; such as signs supporting affirmative
action.

President of the Muslim Student Association, Bilal Khan, said he
has seen different political signs hanging out of USAC offices
throughout the year.

“This is just the method they’re using to show
student opinion … I even saw a (President) Bush sign this
year,” Khan said.

USAC President Karren Lane, who said she did not know about the
sign during the rally, said the position of the council is to
provide space for all student opinion.

Hanging the sign outside its window was the way in which the
Cultural Affairs office chose to provide space for student
expression, Lane said.

Whether USAC says it has taken a position on the issue, allowing
a banner to hang which takes a stance could be perceived by some as
political bias.

Student governments generally attempt to remain viewpoint
neutral ity to objectively serve the student body.

But to maintain such neutrality, Lane said, the council is not
necessarily responsible for presenting both perspectives on issues
such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“We are viewpoint neutral as long as we don’t give
preference to a certain perspective. This means providing
resources for all areas and not denying a pro-Israeli sign,”
she said.