THE ISSUE: Students don’t express their opinions often enough.

OUR OPINION: Students need to take a stand and express their opinions, no matter what they are, during every opportunity for discussion.

THE SOLUTION: The University should hold more discussion forums, and students need to participate and voice their opinions.

The past two weeks have been full of controversy about race, specifically offensive paintings and writing in the Free Expression Tunnel.

The drawings and writing have brought up many questions that have been left unanswered: What is hate speech? What is the punishment for hate crimes? Is an discredited threat still a threat, and should it be treated as such?

The only way the University can take action that the student body agrees with is to find out what students think about these issues.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held a forum in Witherspoon Student Center in front of a packed crowd Tuesday night. This was an excellent opportunity for students to speak, and several did.

The University should hold more forums on all subjects, especially controversial ones like hate speech, as a fair way to gather and gauge opinions on them.

Even though it may seem discussion forums are not helping, they can have a huge impact in the way people think and act.

Student Body President Jay Dawkins said discussion forums are “important on campus, no matter how you do it, whether you have a discussion with five people in a dining hall or 200 people in an auditorium.”

Tonight, the Student Senate will introduce Senate Resolution 25, titled “Free Expression Tunnel Hate Crime Act.” The bill suggests that “the University look to immediately expel those who promote such violent and racist actions on campus.”

The University also holds Chancellor liaison meetings, which all students are allowed to attend. These meetings are also good opportunities for students to discuss issues that are on the agenda.

All students, whether they agree or disagree, have a right and duty to show up to the Senate meeting and let their voiced be heard. All opinions on the matter are welcome and necessary for the Senate to pass or not pass this bill.

Students should not be afraid to express their opinions at these forums and meetings. Forums are open, and censorship of a person’s beliefs, even if they are unpopular, is wrong.

Students should see these meetings and forums as an opportunity for change.  After all, there is no room for complaints from people who choose to remain silent.