By Travis DeNeal 19

USG passed a mandate at its Wednesday meeting calling for University Housing to ensure that students have a considerable amount of input about future changes in housing.

The mandate follows a Resident Housing Association discussion about recommending closing the Saluki Grill in Trueblood Hall and relocating it elsewhere. Members of the Association said moving it to a better location would make it more accessible and safer.

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During discussion, Sean Henry, a University Park senator, said the mandate as presented to USG should not be passed.

It is not fair to send this mandate to Ed Jones (director of University Housing), Henry said. I’m a senator, and I’ve been going to the (RHA) meetings.

Henry said he knew about potential changes at Trueblood about two weeks ago, and that a decision including USG’s recommendation would be made Nov. 14. He also said will poll students this weekend in Grinnell Hall’s cafeteria to find out their feelings about relocating the grill.

Makela Clay, Student Affairs commissioner, criticized Henry for not informing the Senate of the possible changes before Wednesday’s meeting and noted that USG did not meet again until Nov. 19, after University Housing would decide the fate of the Saluki Grill.

Senators who learn changes of this magnitude have an obligation and responsibility to inform the rest of the Senate, Clay said.

USG President David Vingren then addressed the Senate, offering a compromise in the language of mandate.

Senator Henry said he would survey the residents of University Park this weekend, Vingren said. That is the most democratic method of getting students’ opinions.

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The legislation mandated that, All action concerning hours of operation of dining halls on campus be delayed by University Housing until such a time that USG can vote knowledgeably on this crucial issue of student life.

Vingren suggested that USG can vote be changed to USG officials can survey students.

Patrick Fornes, an East Side senator, then acted on Vingren’s advice. The Senate approved the change, and the bill unanimously was passed by voice vote.

In other business, USG heard from Nathan Newcomb, a senior in history from Centralia, who filed a formal complaint against the Nation of Islam Student Association.

The complaint states that the new RSO’s membership is selective because registered members must subscribe to the religious doctrine of the Nation of Islam.

Newcomb told the Senate, with a note of disgust in his voice, that he did not like the Senate’s decision to table discussion of the validity of Nation of Islam Student Association’s RSO status.

I am disappointed that USG tabled that discussion, he said.

Newcomb criticized USG’s decision to grant RSO status to the group at USG’s Oct. 22 meeting, calling Nation of Islam Student Association a racist group.

Newcomb said he was not a racist, and he did not want to appear as anti-Muslim.

I want to emphasize that I am not criticizing the Islamic faith, but I am criticizing the Nation of Islam, he said.

David Holder, an SIUC student and Nation of Islam member, refuted Newcomb’s claims that the Nation of Islam is a hate group.

I’m 36 years old, and I’ve never been taught anything as ludicrous as the gentleman who just spoke said, Holder said, referring to Newcomb.

Newcomb plans to continue to criticize USG for not revoking RSO status to the student group.

I’m going to be as big of a thorn in their (USG’s) side as possible, he said. This brings down the institution as a whole. I think it’s sad that USG didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to take a stand on this.

In other business, USG also passed a resolution calling for improvement of laundry facilities at University Park and supported the new student trustee bill in Illinois state legislature.

The current student trustee bill gives a student trustee a binding vote on most board matters and retains popular elections of student trustees by students.