Those who were here last semester might remember the incident that took place during a Student Assembly meeting where a couple of racial remarks were exchanged between a few executive board members. The result was a huge uproar from the Asian community in the form of a “rally against racism and tolerance” and a general loss of trust in the Student Association.

This year the SA is working to avoid future conflicts with a revised Code of Conduct, in the hope of replacing the long-departed and dearly missed welcoming atmosphere of the SA.

Not to incriminate the Student Association as a whole, because I do realize only two or three ignorant individuals were responsible and new people have taken their places, but the SA is supposed to be a government modeled after the U.S. government. To have a bunch of people gathered, simulating “law-makers” and “congresspeople” while breaking out into physical contact and reverting to racism (the last shimmer of hope for any desperate debater) seems a bit oxymoronic.

I believe Adam Amit to be well-intentioned with his revision, but I can’t help but be worried that a revision is even needed.

Come on, we’ve been taught not to call people names because it hurts their feelings ever since pencils were the required writing utensils in school. Addressing the issue once again, years later, is sad. Regretfully, it’s probably necessary.

I do not mean to be critical of the SA because, sans last year’s controversy, they have contributed nothing but great things to my own college experience. I’d say they are doing a hell of a job organizing activities for us. How is it possible for anyone to be bored when there is something to do virtually every day? In addition to numerous other responsibilities, SA members are met with expectations from the college body. Sounds like a pretty hard job to me: I know I wouldn’t know how to even begin the never-ending task of satisfying the school population.

The revision of the Code of Conduct marks a new beginning in the Student Association, agreeing to not forget what happened last semester but ensuring that it isn’t repeated.

We have to keep in mind that the students involved in last semester’s incident were not U.S. Assemblyman Lombardi or Secretary of Commerce Liou. They were still only students of Binghamton, college students no different from you and me.

They went to class, they studied, they partied and they made mistakes.