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University officials rescinded the College Republican's "Adopt a Sniper" table in the Alumni Memorial Union Monday, saying the program's message did not fit the university's mission and therefore could not be set up in the AMU.
The College Republicans had approval from the Office of Student Development to set up the table in the Union to promote the national "Adopt a Sniper" program. Two hours after the table was set up, individuals from OSD confiscated the literature and materials that were on display.
College of Business Administration senior Brandon Henak, chairman of the College Republicans, said the "Adopt a Sniper" program is a direct way for students to support the U.S. troops fighting in Iraq.
"This program supplies special body armor and equipment for American snipers in Iraq," Henak said.
Henak said most snipers receive standard equipment from the U.S. military that restricts mobility and flexibility, causing snipers to sometimes remove their armor in order to shoot and putting them at risk.
A student wears a metal wristband from the "Adopt a Sniper" program, for which the College Republicans tried to collect donations. The display was removed Monday by university officials, who said it did not follow the theme of Mission Week. Photo by Maggie Casey
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When an individual donates at least $5 to the program, he or she will receive a dog tag with the U.S. Marines slogan: "One Shot, One Kill, No Remorse, I Decide," he said. The organization also offers metal wristbands with the Web site's name and the military unit that will benefit from the donation.
Brigid O'Brien, director of university communication, said in a statement Tuesday, "Based on the information obtained from the College Republicans' table, the university made the decision that the specific nature of this fundraising activity was not consistent with the university's mission and was not reflected in the College Republicans' application for approval."
Concerns that the fundraising was not consistent with the university's mission are especially pertinent during Marquette's Mission Week, going on now, with its theme "Constructing Peace."
However, Henak said College Republicans specifically chose Mission Week to begin their fundraising efforts.
"We chose this event during Mission Week because we believe it is a direct way to construct peace," Henak said.
Henak said the decision was a tactic to stifle the voice of the College Republicans.
http://www.marquettetribune.org/282532739048351.bsp
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