Students’ Union discrimination the real issue

By A. Brignall

Editor, the Gauntlet,

As a regular reader of the Gauntlet, I have been following the debate about the creation of a women’s centre between Michael Jankovic and others. I would like to state that I am not for or against a women’s centre. Rather, I understand the legitimate opinions of both sides.I do not think, however, that having or not having a women’s centre is the real issue.

The real issue is discrimination on the part of the Students’ Union. I am referring to the SU agreeing to a religious centre to be built on the third floor of Mac Hall, and their hesitance to agreeing to a women’s centre.

I see no difference between the two. Both centres pose to have a special private place away from the general university public where people could feel safe to pray/talk.

As university students we pay fees to go towards the maintenance of such centres. I would much rather have my money go towards a women’s centre than a religious centre, based purely on the fact that women make up 51 per cent of the population on campus.

I pose the SU this question: How can the SU say “yes” to a religious centre and even think to say “no” to a women’s centre? You can either have both or have none. Having one without the other is discrimination.