UC Davis student leaders say American flag display should be optional at meetings

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article145130714.html

The UC Davis student senate has made it optional to display the American flag at its meetings, stirring up controversy on campus and conservative blogs.Senate Bill 76 passed Thursday, said Michael Gofman, a student senator who opposed the change.The bill amends bylaws that required the United States flag to be on display at every senate meeting of the Associated Students, University of California, Davis.

The revised bylaws give senate members the option to petition for the display of the flag 24 hours before each meeting. The ASUCD senate pro tem ultimately has authority to decide whether the U.S. flag will be displayed, according to the revision.The resolution says that since “the concept of United States of America and patriotism is different for every individual, it should not be compulsory that the flag is in view at all times during Senate meetings.”

Jose Antonio Meneses, who introduced the resolution, said the changes were meant to ensure the student government is following federal law, which he says doesn’t allow an organization to mandate displaying the flag.“It wasn’t political in any way,” Meneses said. “But because it is the United States flag ... it’s a touchy subject to talk about. We want to make sure we are not sued.”Gofman disagreed, saying all governing bodies within the U.S. – including a student senate – should display the flag.“It was a purely political issue from the start,” Gofman said.