The Global Justice Project (GJP) has ruffled feathers University-wide with the publication of a pamphlet titled "Freshmen Disorientation," which includes pieces on recent student protests, recommendations of courses and professors, and entries describing groups on campus. One such entry on the College Republicans has prompted that group to request an apology from the GJP.
"The major thing I want is an apology," said Max Buccini, president of the College Republicans and A&S '06. "I don't want to overstep my bounds and ask the administration for any kind of retribution."
The pamphlet contains this description of the College Republicans: "Are you a filthy rich white male with a fear of foreigners, independent women, and populist, grassroots movements? If you also enjoy exploiting the environment, workers, women, and people of color, the College Republicans and the Republican party is probably a good fit."
Nick Fuller-Googins, a member of the GJP and A&S '06, said that he felt no apology was in order.
"BC Republicans and the Republican party represent everything the Global Justice Project is trying to change in the world. We wouldn't take back anything," he said.
Fuller-Googins said he felt the Republican party was a bigoted party whose first priority is making money for big business. "The harsh language we used is warranted," he said. "The Republican party needs to be called out for what it's done."
Buccini said he was very surprised to see something like "Freshmen Disorientation" so early in the year. He said he did not object to criticism of College Republicans, but rather the manner in which the GJP did it.
"It would be different if they criticized other groups on campus," said Buccini. "It would be different if they put up an issue-based, content-based criticism of Republicans. But they didn't."
Dean for Student Development Robert Sherwood said he was not interested in approaching the situation as a disciplinary matter. "There is a freedom of speech issue here," he said. "The University is not in the business of censoring the comments of students.
"We want students to get together and be civilized and be accurate," he continued.
Sherwood did have concerns with the publication.
"I've heard from a number of people about the inflammatory language and some inaccuracies," he said. He also said that the Office of Residential Life had filed a complaint regarding the GJP's distribution tactics. In addition to giving out the pamphlets after last week's Freshman Convocation, members of the GJP slipped copies under doors in freshman residence halls, which is a violation of BC fire safety procedures.
"Freshmen Disorientation" also includes allegations of racial profiling on the part of the Boston College Police Department (BCPD).
The allegations stem from an incident over the summer, when two BC students were taken in and interrogated by Secret Service agents staying at BC during the Democratic National Convention. The GJP did not cite any specific statistics or additional incidents in its publication.
"That's one of the problems," said Fuller-Googins. "I've talked to countless people who have been victims of racial profiling, but there's no official documentation."
Plans are in the works for meetings between the BCPD and student leaders to discuss law enforcement issues, including racial profiling.
BCPD Chief Robert Morse has denied the presence of racial profiling on campus.
"I feel completely sure that our officers are keeping the community's best interest in mind," he said in the Sept. 7 issue of The Heights.
The GJP is not a group with Office of the Dean for Student Development approval. It exists as an entity within the sociology department. It has no organized internal leadership, but rather makes decisions based on the consent of members present at its meetings.
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