SB-2017-18-014: AS Holocaust Remembrance Day

Senate Bill No.: SB-2017-18-014

Date: April 24, 2018

Authored by: Arthur Zverev, Chief Justice

Referred to: Internal Affairs Committee

Committee Rec: April 24, 2018

Senate Action: April 30, 2018 (21-0-0)

Title: A.S. Holocaust Remembrance Day

1. WHEREAS: The Associated Students, Inc. (A.S.) is the official voice of over 40,000 students at California State University Northridge; and

2. WHEREAS: The Associated Students, Inc. is the primary advocate for students at California State University, Northridge and provides excellent, meaningful programs and services designed to create and enhance a spirited, learning-focused campus environment; and

3. WHEREAS: In accomplishing its mission, A.S. has a responsibility to be a positive influence on the community as a whole; and

4. WHEREAS: In achieving that mission, A.S. has the responsibility to inform students of key issues that affect our diverse communities; and

5. WHEREAS: Acknowledging the fact that CSUN caters to a large Jewish student university population; and

6. WHEREAS: California is home to the second largest Jewish-American population in the United States, and Jewish people living in California have enriched our state through their leadership and contribution in business, agriculture, academia, government, and the arts; and

7. WHEREAS: California State University, Northridge has a significant Jewish student population, many of whom have family members who experienced firsthand the horror and evil of the Holocaust; and

8. WHEREAS: The Holocaust of 1933-1945, cost the lives of more than 6 million men, women, and children of Jewish descent in the attempt to systematically eliminate the Jewish people, one of the most atrocious violations of human rights in the history of the world; and

9. WHEREAS: Every student and person, regardless of ethnicity or national origin, should be made aware of and educated about the Holocaust so that it and other state-sanctioned forms of ethnic cleansing may never happen again; and

10. WHEREAS: The Associated Students of California State University, Northridge applauds the persistent, ongoing efforts by any person in this country or abroad, to keep remembrance of the Holocaust; therefore let it be

1. RESOLVED: That the Associated Students, Inc. hereby designates the Senate meeting of (or prior to) Yom HaShoah (the Holocaust Remembrance Day) each year as the “Day of Commemoration for the Holocaust,” and let it be further

2. RESOLVED: In addition to holding a ‘moment of silence’ at the Senate meeting of or prior to Yom HaShoah (the Holocaust Remembrance Day) each year, the Associated Students, Inc. will inform all Senators and Cabinet members about the Holocaust; and let it be further

3. RESOLVED: On the date of the special meeting, Associated Students, Inc. will conduct a tradition of the rose ceremony in memory of the Holocaust victims, whose descendants play an integral role in today’s CSUN community; and let it be further

4. RESOLVED: On the date of the senate meeting, Associated Students, Inc. will host an event after the meeting to show solidarity and support to the Jewish community at California State University, Northridge; and let it be further

5. RESOLVED: That the Associated Students, Inc. commends its conscientious educators who teach about human rights and genocide; and let it be further

6. RESOLVED: That copies of this resolution be distributed widely, including but not limited to the following:

• CSU Board of Trustees
• California State Student Association
• Dr. Dianne Harrison, President, CSUN
• Dr. Yi Li, Provost
• Dr. William Watkins, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
• Adam Swenson, President, Faculty Senate
• David Crandall, General Manager
• Leanne Vincent, Coordinator of Student Leadership
• Chabad Jewish Student Center
• The Sundial
• CSUN Today
• CSUN Chabad
• Hillel 818
• CSUN AEPI
• CSUN SAEPI
• Jewish Federation of Los Angeles
• Jewish Journal