Resolution Reductionist
By Jennifer Jaskiewicz and Marisa Muscari
Contributing Writers

Let us preface this article by saying that it is in no way indicative of our support or opposition to the war in Iraq. We are writing to express our outrage regarding the vote for the anti-war resolution held by the Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC). Writing and passing anti-war resolutions is not within the ASPC's jurisdiction.

We are not informed of the elected member's national political positions when they run for office. In fact, the ASPC webpage gives the following reason for its existence: "The ASPC Senate exists to facilitate student activities, both organizationally and financially"

Whether the ASPC deems the war in Iraq appropriate or not is irrelevant. The ASPC isn't designated to express the student body's political views, but rather to ensure the right of individual students to express their views. Furthermore, this resolution that concerns a serious matter was simply sent to the students as part of a digester message.

There was not any sort of printed letter sent out to students, nor was there any hearing on the matter, or publicity such as table tents at Frank, flyers, etc. Consequently, many students did not know exactly what they were voting for, or what would be done with any such resolution if passed (and still don't know), and thus simply voted according to their opinion of the war. In addition, Pomona has always supported diversity of all kinds, so this hopefully includes a diversity of opinions. Passing an antiwar resolution of this type makes it seem as if Pomona does not have any diversity of opinion in respect to this war.

We urge the ASPC to reconsider this resolution, and especially encourage the newly elected ASPC officers to refrain from supporting this and other future types of political resolutions. When we chose to attend Pomona, we were not under the impression that the student government would try to label its entire student body with a certain political view.