STRAIGHT up for approval

Feb. 16 is the day for Students Reinforcing Adherence In General Heterosexual Tradition, or STRAIGHT. It's the day the organization's charter goes up for approval to the Undergraduate Student Government Supreme Court, said Dawn Brown, interim chief justice of the USG Supreme Court.

There has been much controversy over the organization's mission and how it would affect other groups on campus, such as the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance, since the name "STRAIGHT" began circulating campus. LGBSA has released an official statement regarding STRAIGHT.

"The LGBSA is a student organization committed to the promotion of an educational environment that fosters respect for others and abhors intolerance of any kind," said Jessica Shive, social educational co-director of LGBSA. "We are aware of statements made and opinions expressed by Mr. Loccarini on behalf of his proposed organization called STRAIGHT. We believe that a response from us would be premature at this time."

Death threats are among some of the responses Loccarini has received. This threat of violence has affected not only Loccarini, but the group as a whole.

"After the death threats (Loccarini) received, not many people wanted to step up and be officers," said STRAIGHT Vice President Dave Kaminski (senior-business logistics and international business).

But Kaminiski stepped up to become an officer and member, mostly due to his religious beliefs.

About 30 other students are members of the yet-to-be approved organization formed by Loccarini. Weather conditions and time constraints have suspended the drive to gain new members, Loccarini said.

One stipulation of becoming an official student organization is that the organization must have at least 12 active members. The organization must also have its constitution approved by the court. The constitution must assure that the organization will accept any person as a member for approval, said Jit Chatterjee (sophomore-political science), a justice on the court. STRAIGHT must be willing to accept any person as a member, whether they be black, white, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, Chatterjee said.

The organization must also have a purpose unique from any other organization on campus, Chatterjee said. The purpose must also be unique in the community.

"Every organization must have a unique purpose," Chatterjee said. "The court can judge that heterosexuals already have representation on this campus."

But the approval of the group is secure, Loccarini said.

"I've made sure there's no way I could be denied," Loccarini said. "I've done 100 times more than anyone else would have to assure it's not a hate group."

The procedure for the court is to have an open student forum at the start of the meeting. The justices will then begin the session, during which they will ask questions of the representatives of STRAIGHT. The five voting justices will decide the fate of STRAIGHT.

"I think it will be (approved)," Kaminski said. "If it's not, it will send out a dangerous message to the student body about free speech."