The Student Government Association Senate amended a resolution that would require the student newspaper to print a weekly column and passed a resolution on behalf of UTM’s Muslim community condemning terrorism.

SGA President James Orr told senators that after consulting legal advice, he believes that Senate Resolution 2, which would have required The Pacer, UTM’s editorially independent student newspaper, to publish a weekly column by the SGA president, is illegal.

The resolution passed unanimously at the last senate meeting. Orr recommended amending the resolution and then said he would support the amended legislation.

Orr said the text from the resolution that references the $3.60 in student fees that pays for the newspaper “could be perceived as a threat.”

He also said the newspaper could not be required to publish anything from a government organization because the newspaper would be held liable for content.

“Our resolutions and recommendations carry a lot of weight,” Orr said. “We can’t knowingly sign something we think isn’t as legally sound as it should be.”

The revised text asks the newspaper to publish a weekly column, but The Pacer’s staff is not required to do so.

The amended resolution passed unanimously at Orr’s recommendation.

The Pacer ’s faculty adviser, Tomi McCutchen Parrish, spoke to the body after the amended resolution passed, saying she hopes senators will ask any questions they may have concerning the First Amendment.

“A country without free speech is one that will become an anarchy,” Parrish said.

SGA’s Multicultural Affairs Committee brought Senate Resolution 3 to the floor, sponsored by Sens. Emre Serbest and Keely Gaylord.

The resolution stems from a letter sent to SGA from “Islamic students” at UTM. In the letter, the students said they “demand recognition” from SGA.

Gaylord said Muslim students at UTM signed a petition demanding that SGA pass a statement condemning terrorism and hate crimes against Muslims.

The letter goes on to read, “We want to let the community know that we condemn (acts of terrorism) because Islam is a religion of peace.”

SGA was unable to make a copy of the resolution available to The Pacer as of press time.

For the first time this term, Chief Justice Erin Young took the floor before the vote to confirm that the legislation was constitutional. The resolution passed unanimously.

SGA Vice President Rachel Hammond presented presidential appointments to fill vacancies in the senate as well as appointments to the SGA Judiciary.

Orr nominated Kaylis Magras, Shannon Myer, Natalie Newton, Amber Williams, Jennifer Sidney, Julie Hood, David Taylor, Amelia Kasta and Karen Farmer to senate.

The senate approved all nominations unanimously.

In his adviser report, Steve Vantrease applauded UTM students and SGA for their fund-raising efforts aiding Hurricane Katrina victims.

Vantrease said students have raised $3,400 in the weeks following the hurricane, but SGA set a goal of raising $30,000 two weeks ago.