On Thursday, April 9th, the ARC Student Association passed two Resolutions: S09-02 - Student Bill of Rights, and S09-03 - Committee on Anti-Religious Discrimination. The Council's historic actions drew the attention of America's largest conservative news source,
WorldNetDaily, which reported on the actions of the Student Council in an
article released today as well. American River College is likely to be the first college in the State of California to adopt a Student Bill of Rights and advocate for the formation of a committee to raise awareness to anti-religious discrimination.
The Student Bill of Rights, which the SA also adopted at the Council Meeting is considered to be a call for the Administration "to defend the right of students to be treated with respect by faculty and administrators, regardless of their political or religious beliefs," as stated in Resolution S09-02. Surveys show that most college students feel there is "political bias" in the classroom.
Also passed was Resolution S09-03, titled Committee on Anti-Religious Discrimination. It was slightly modified after the President of the college, David Viar, vetoed the original, S09-01, stating this action was "outside the purview of the student organization which is 'to promote the intellectual, physical, political, and multicultural life of the college and the general welfare of the student community' and 'to encourage students to participate in the governance of the college.'"
Author of the resolution George "Yuriy" Popko said he met with President Viar and "took his suggestions into consideration when re-writing the resolution, since it is our desire to show the Administration that the Associated Student Body of American River College is willing to work together with them in addressing the issues which the students have elected us to deal with."
Although he mentions he disagrees with the stated reasons for the veto because of "prior restraint" which may be implied in the official letter sent to Student Association President Jacob Johnson - "the formation and operation of this committee has the
potential to violate and interfere with well-established District and College Policies and procedures that bar discrimination," SA Student Rep. George Popko said he intends to seek a redress of grievances.
Sacramento - ARC students celebrated their recent victory in federal court against the Los Rios Community College District, after federal Judge Lawrence K. Karlton ruled last Wednesday that the district had violated the students' 14th Amendment right to due process when it invalidated thousands of student votes last year.
