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(U-WIRE) UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA—Newcomb Hall's Board Room looked like a protest scene from the 60s last night as more than 100 students crammed into the room to discuss what seems to be the hottest topic on Grounds right now: Should first-year students be allowed to rush? Sitting on the floor, leaning against the walls, lounging in the window sills and lingering in the doorways, students showed their interest by the number of them present—a demonstration of support Student Council has not witnessed in years.
The only guaranteed attenders at Council's regular Tuesday night meetings are the body's members themselves. But last night, a mass of students huddled around their elected representatives to ensure Council heard the student voice. Who says students are apathetic?
Those students at the meeting who supported the bill said the most important aspect about last night is that students are taking a stand.
"I believe this bill says something to the administration," said College Rep. Dan Ortiz, who was one of the sponsors of the resolution before Council. "Too often student organizations are reactionary. We wait for something to happen to us before we act. I think it would be fresh and unique for Council to make a decision on something before it takes place instead of passing a resolution supporting or opposing something after it has already happened."
At first glance, the meeting seemed to be about the greek community—underage drinking, hazing and a lack of emphasis on academics. But the rhetoric that filled the overcrowded room focused more on student self-governance than on issues that lately have stigmatized the greek system.
Such a large turnout may sound uncharacteristic of University students, and it is. Council's gallery usually consists of a row of empty chairs. Council members said they were surprised by the unprecedented turnout. So, why is the student body so stirred up? Because, for once, according to Ortiz, Council and its constituents have the opportunity to influence the administration. Student Council—along with the Inter-Fraternity Council, Inter-Sorority Council, Residence Life and various other student organizations—are trying to beat the faculty and administration to the punch. The Faculty Senate will meet today to formally decide, with the help of selected students and administrators, what they think about the issue.
Unfortunately for everyone present at the meeting, it took an hour and a half for someone to ask whether the administration had the final say about moving rush.
The answer, according to Executive Vice President Howard A. Foard III, was yes: the administration eventually will decide the fate of the rush process.
Council members said only time will tell whether the student population or the administration holds more influence at the University.
But to say that the debate at Council last night pitted all students against all administrators simplifies the issue too much, said Fourth-year College student Micah Schwartzman.
Schwartzman reminded everyone present that there are some students who agree with the prospect of a rush move. Similarly, there are probably some faculty or administrators who disagree with prohibiting first-year students from rushing fraternities and sororities during their first semester at the University.
But he put it best: "This issue affects all of us."
More importantly, many students said this issue has made them realize that self-governance is a responsibility not to be taken as lightly as has been the recent tradition at the University.
Council allowed time for non-member students to contribute to the debate, and one voice in the crowd interjected: "Obviously, the greek system cares a lot about what's going on at this University as shown here tonight. Maybe it just took something to provoke interest."
After three hours of debate that ranged from statistical information about the grade point averages of greeks versus non-greeks to anecdotal stories by everyone willing to contribute, Council passed a resolution asserting that first-year students should be allowed to rush first semester. Council's support of the IFC and the ISC met with an enthusiastic round of applause from the crowd.
Even those who were doubtful about the bill said they were impressed with the amount of interest shown on this issue. But some members said they have legitimate concerns about what will happen next.