In light of numerous inaccurate statements and rumors made on social media over the last day or so, MCCC is issuing the following statement regarding the progress of a petition by students to bring a Turning Point USA chapter to Monroe County Community College.
First and foremost, THERE HAS BEEN NO DENIAL OF A TURNING POINT CHAPTER by MCCC’s Student Government Association.
The process for recognizing new student organizations is outlined in College Policy 3.17, which is linked here: https://www.monroeccc.edu/.../317%20petition%20stu...
According to Edmund La Clair, history faculty member and Student Government advisor, the Turning Point USA petitioners submitted the final draft of the proposed group’s constitution yesterday, October 21. This final version has been posted publicly for member review, and a digital copy was distributed to all Student Government Association members today, October 22, when the student petitioners sent it to them. A vote is anticipated at the Tuesday, October 28 Student Government Association meeting.
Since last week, MCCC’s Marketing Communications Office has been working diligently with one of the Turning Point USA student petitioners and the proposed chapter’s advisor so it would have a logo ready for use that is in line with the college’s brand standards pending approval of the chapter. That logo has already been approved by MCCC’s director of marketing and communications and will be available for use pending an affirmative vote.
Student Government at MCCC is governance for students, by students.
The purpose of Student Government at MCCC is: 1) To serve as a facilitator for communication between the college administrators, faculty and staff; 2) To encourage and promote interest and spirit in college activities and affairs; 3) To provide a vital and appropriate voice for students in the governance of the institution about those matters pertinent to student affairs and interests, and 4) To develop and promote activities that will enrich the cultural, intellectual and social life of the student body at Monroe County Community College.
Each year, a new board is elected to the Student Government Association by the students, and each fall, its advisors work to educate the new leadership on Roberts' Rules of Order and policy and procedure. The educational process for students in clubs is similar as clubs elect student leaders, write and evaluate their own constitutions, and seek appropriate approval and oversight of their rules, activities and accounts.
It needs to be made clear that SGA and student clubs and organizations are run by students and advised by professional MCCC employees. The term “advisor” is chosen carefully. As advisors/educators, we help to give students the tools they need to succeed and help lift them up and correct them when they fail. Advisors are careful not to influence student choice. This is part of what education is about: the educational process of learning. We must let the process take place. As educators, we also need to help students learn about how to engage in the process of governance.
Our Student Government representatives are simply doing their best to engage in governance. These students were voted on by their peers to govern, and they are doing their best to learn and govern well.
The advisors’ jobs are to follow policy and uphold the college’s commitment to free expression for all students. The Student Government Association provides an opportunity for students to have their voice heard around the campus.
We kindly ask that individuals refrain from making inaccurate statements and circulating rumors in regard to the activities of our Student Government Association and its advisors as they work to execute all the procedural and constitutional requirements necessary in this process.