In response to controversial legislation passed by the Texas A&M Student Government Association, Missouri Students Association President Nick Droege addressed a letter to the university detailing his dismay.
The legislation, called the “Religious Funding Exemption Bill,” passed with 35 votes for and 28 votes against in the senate, but was later vetoed by president John Claybrook, according to [theeagle.com](http://www.theeagle.com/). Measures in the bill allow for students at A&M to opt out of paying parts of their fees to student organizations that disagree with their religious beliefs.
The bill’s original name was the “GLBT Funding Opt Out Bill,” revealing its intent to remove funding from the Texas A&M GLBT Center. It wasn’t until approximately 24 hours before the final vote that the bill was renamed, according to theeagle.com.
Droege and members of his candidate attended Texas A&M in January for the Southeastern Conference Exchange, a gathering of SEC schools and their student governments. Droege was shocked when learning of the bill’s passage, he said.
“It’s a step back in a lot of things,” Droege said.
Director of Student Communications Jimmy Hibsch, who drafted the letter, said he shared a similar sense of shock because of A&M’s family-oriented atmosphere.
“Here at Mizzou, I think we are lucky to have such a inclusive community,” Hibsch said. “I don’t know if that’s necessarily what the entire climate is like (at A&M), but it’s just eye opening to see that people in our generation still aren’t as open-minded as people here are.”
After learning of the bill’s passage, there was an immediate decision on Droege’s part to send a letter describing his apprehension as well as that of MSA. Thirty-seven members of the association signed the document.
“We, the student government at the University of Missouri, wanted to write to you to express our disappointment with your decision to approve a measure allowing students to opt out of funding your campus’ GLBT Resource Center if they have religious objections,” the letter said.
It also highlights MU’s own LGBTQ community and center.
“Here at Mizzou, we consider ourselves more than lucky to have both a thriving LGBTQ community and an LGBTQ Resource Center,” the letter said. “Our center is not just a safe haven for an often oppressed community, but also a place for straight allies to visit.”
As well as expressing displeasure, the letter is a way for MU to hold Texas A&M accountable, and it should be MSA’s job as a peer institution to do so, Droege said. They are also agreeing with Claybrook’s decision to veto the bill.
Because of the slim margin the bill passed by, the A&M Senate will not seek to override his veto, according to theeagle.com.
Droege likens his argument against the bill to paying taxes, specifically for public schools.
“It’s not just about paying what you use, it’s about paying for everything that is best for the community as a whole,” said Droege, echoing the role of the taxpayer. “I think that’s something that they were neglecting.”
If ever faced with the decision to veto a similar piece of legislation, Droege would not hesitate to do so, he said.