Southern Oregon University Student Resolution

TITLE OF RESOLUTION: A RESOLUTION OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE USA PATRTIOT ACT, JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DIRECTIVES, AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT UNDERMINE OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES AND INALIENABLE RIGHTS GRANTED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SPONSORS OF RESOLUTION: Asha Stout

SECONDED BY: Angela Galvan

WHEREAS, Southern Oregon University has a diverse population, including non-citizens, whose contributions to the campus are vital to its character and function; and

WHEREAS, Southern Oregon University and its students are governed by the United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, fundamental rights granted by the United States Constitution are threatened by actions taken at the federal level, notably by the passage of sections of the USA PATRIOT ACT, the Homeland Security Act and several Executive Orders which, among other things:

· Violate the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution through the expansion of the government's ability to wiretap telephones, monitor e-mail communications, survey medical, financial, and student records, and secretly enter homes and offices without customary administrative oversight or without showing of probable cause;
· Violate the First Amendment to the Constitution by limiting the freedom of association and assembly;
· Give law enforcement expanded authority to obtain library records, and prohibit librarians from informing patrons of monitoring or information requests;
· Grant potential unchecked powers to the Attorney General and the U.S. Secretary of State to designate legal domestic groups as "terrorist organizations", while lifting administrative regulations against covert, surveillance counter-intelligence operations by the F.B.I. that in the past targeted domestic groups and individuals;
· Violate the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution by establishing secret military tribunals, and in subjecting citizens and non-citizens to indefinite detention even when they have not been allowed an attorney, brought to trial, or even charged with a crime; Authorize eavesdropping on confidential communications between lawyers and their clients in federal custody;

WHEREAS, the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University adheres to the principle that no law enforcement agency may profile or discriminate against any person solely on the basis of ancestry, race, ethnic, or national origin, color, age, sexual orientation, gender, religion, physical or mental disability; or apparent socio-economic status;

WHEREAS, the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University recognizes the commitment it has to uphold the legal and human rights of all SOU students;

WHEREAS, secret searches of University student and faculty records, library materials and circulation records, and secret surveillance and monitoring of University computer systems, hardware, networks, correspondence and internet traffic represent a grave threat to the academic freedom of the entire University community;

WHEREAS, more than 85 communities from around the country, including Ashland, Oregon; Talent, Oregon; Denver, Colorado; Flagstaff, Arizona; and San Francisco, California have passed similar resolutions reinforcing local efforts to support and defend legal and human rights of their residents;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY, that it has been, and remains, firmly committed to the protection of civil rights and civil liberties for all and affirms its commitment to embody democracy and to embrace, defend and uphold the inalienable rights and fundamental liberties granted under the Constitution of the United States;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the campus administration continue to preserve and uphold the students' freedom of speech, assembly, association, and privacy, the right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings, and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, even if requested to do otherwise and infringe upon such rights by federal or state law enforcement agencies acting under new powers created by the USA PATRIOT ACT or by Executive Order;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ASSOU urge our federal legislative delegation to actively monitor the implementation of the USA PATRIOT ACT, any new Executive Orders, or COINTELPRO-type regulations and work actively toward the repeal of those portions that violate the guaranteed civil liberties enumerated in the Bill of Rights.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon passage, the ASSOU President shall mail this Resolution to the Southern Oregon University President, the Chancellor of the Oregon University System, the Governor's office, and the Oregon federal legislative delegation.