In light of recent acts of vandalization of the Tannenbaum Chabad House, ASG Senate has found it imperative to issue a new resolution titled, "Speak Out Against Religious Intolerance."
For the third time in the past six months, the Menorah Candle outside of the Chabad House was vandalized. About a week and a half ago, the Jewish symbol was damaged beyond repair. The ASG resolution, proposed by IFC Senator Jonathan Kamel and Hillel Senator Ariel Roitman aimed to “call upon us as a student body to speak out against religious intolerance,” Kamel said. “We’re saying that we promote an open and inclusive environment.”
By presenting the vocal statement, the Senate is supporting the Chabad House’s decision to place a new Menorah on the front of its property and reflects the condemnation of religiously intolerant acts within the community. The statement “calls on the perpetrators to learn from their actions."
“Although the Chabad is not on campus, it’s a place where a lot of people from on-campus go,” Roitman said. “We don’t need to wait to speak out against religious intolerance. We have to do it in a timely manner.”
Prior to the resolution, the matter did not receive significant attention on campus. The resolution declares that these intolerant and destructive actions should not go unnoticed, in order to most effectively facilitate a secure and receptive environment on Northwestern’s campus.
Additionally, in response to the success of the newly created Mental Health ENU and new Counseling and Psychological Services programs such as “Let’s Talk," ASG announced a new legislation that will form the Mental Health Working Group. By taking a more holistic approach and examining the outlook of mental health of the undergraduate student body, the group aims to continue the growth and improvement of addressing mental health issues on campus. The group “will work to analyze the landscape,” said Chris Harlow, vice president for student life. “We really feel that we don’t know what’s best because we don’t have an entire grasp of what the mental health landscape is.”
Research, analyses and recommendations regarding undergraduate mental health will be presented by the working group to the Senate no later than Jan. 31, 2015.
The working group will be chaired by the ASG Vice President for Student Life and the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. Members of the group will consist of six to ten members, including students representing both NU Listens and NU Active Minds. The additional members will be selected by the Working Group Chairs.