Student Senate omits, reinstates Pledge of Allegiance
GVL \ Meghan Landgren
October 14, 2019
At the start of the 2019-20 academic year, Grand Valley State University’s Student Senate voted to remove the Pledge of Allegiance from its general assembly agenda, a change over last year’s standard agenda. As a group that represents a large, diverse body of students, some senators felt that the Pledge of Allegiance is non-inclusive to Lakers who are not American citizens. Further, President Eric-John Szczepaniak said the recital of the Pledge isn’t required in the senate bylaws.
However, at the Sept. 26 general assembly meeting, Senator Dorian Thompson, who missed the prior meeting when the decision against the Pledge was made, brought up the issue and put his support behind reinstating the Pledge. Thompson said the omission of the Pledge was “disgraceful,” and that the support for the federal government shows respect to the federal funding GVSU receives. His comments sparked a heated discussion that eventually ended without agreement.
At the next general assembly meeting on Oct. 3, the discussion was refueled, with Thompson bringing up a motion to add the Pledge of Allegiance back to all future agendas. Following debate, the body voted 21-14 to reinstate it moving forward.
While the majority of senators voted in favor of the Pledge, some Lakers still feel it is an inappropriate representation. A GVSU student and 7th grade teacher spoke out against the implementation of the Pledge during public comment at the Oct. 10 meeting.
“It has come to my attention that before the meeting or during the meeting, the Pledge of Allegiance is being said. I have a few qualms with that as a teacher,” she said.
Additionally, the student teacher emphasized the need to provide students with an inclusive, safe environment to grow. She said that when the Pledge becomes an everyday occurrence, it creates otherness for students who aren’t American or who do not believe in one god. With this religious aspect in mind, she said there needs to be a separation between church and state in schools, and especially in student governments.
While the Pledge of Allegiance may seem like a minor issue to some, it is one that is continually being discussed by Senate. Those who have strong feelings about its implementation in Senate meetings can discuss their point of view during public comment at future general assembly meetings. These meetings are held every Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Rick Zukowski • Nov 15, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Maybe all of us veterans should vote to stop supporting GVSU. Our country is getting no respect from this group of students. Maybe it’s time to eliminate this student council as they offend me and my past efforts to protect them and this country from harm. Inexperienced kids should not be given this kind of decision making. This article makes me sick..
Paul S. Davies • Nov 15, 2019 at 3:30 pm
Having just read that the Council once again voted to reinstate omitting the Pledge of Allegiance at its meetings, I can only say you got it right the second time you voted on this issue. As a ’74 graduate from GVSU, with a M.A. from your colleague school (Western Michigan University), I can only say I am more proud of my post-graduate alma mater than my undergraduate alma mater. Also, I am proud to be a United States Army veteran. So please know that my decision is to no longer financially support my undergraduate university. My post-graduate school will now be the recipient of my future generosity. I am presuming you will be seeing more of that, so your university administration will likely be seeing the evidence of that. Of course, that may not concern the Student Council, but will certainly concern the administration. Perhaps then your views may change. In the meantime, enjoy what must be your exuberant feelings that you have done the right thing in not offending anyone.
Correction–you’ve offended me. But of course, that wasn’t on your mind with this vote.
God bless American, and all who love her and all who are serving her and have served her.
Michael borton • Nov 15, 2019 at 10:48 am
As a vetern and a tax payer it offense me that a public instution would alliw it to be remove .the unversity take 90 million a year in tax money least they can due is say pledge.
Wonder how many of them would have voted to not have it if they knew actual history of it.The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy.. Bet they where told about how socialiest wrote it they never try to get rid agian
John • Oct 18, 2019 at 8:39 am
As a former student senator & cabinet member, the pledge has been a mainstay til fall 2019. This is my first time hearing it was removed. I feel it shpuld be included and am glad its back. If some senators at the table and students in the audience don’t feel like reciting under God or any other part, then don’t. That is fine. We want everyone comforatble but censoring something that has been done for decades, doesnt cut it either.