The real problem with this situation is that it has become emotionalized to such a point that discussion is rapidly becoming impossible. Hill-Meyer misses the point entirely when she writes, "When Senator Gulley accuses other senators of racist behavior, it's important that those claims be investigated. Instead, he is literally on trial for making such claims before anyone has even asked him what motivated them."

It is the responsibility of Senator Gulley, or anyone making such a serious accusation, to justify their claims rather than allowing an unjustified suspicion to hang over student representatives. It is especially hard to take such unsupported accusations seriously when they reflect several years' worth of criticism, yet only emerge at the onset of an election season. A governing body that comes together with the express purpose of making collective decisions must deal with these issues in an open and calm manner, or they risk its ability to work together for all students. With a cloud of unsupported blanket accusations hanging over the majority of the Senate, there is little hope for the honest dialog needed to govern effectively. It is hard to see how such a situation fosters the fair, open and equal environment - an environment that every student wants to realize.

Ted Niedermeyer is the editor-in-chief of the Oregon Commentator

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