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= I Believe In No Mandatory Attendance = media type="file" key="TIBwes.mp3" width="240" height="20"

It begins with a simple thought; an idea not taken for granted. Every high school student about to go to college has had it. Our parents, friends, teachers, and others who are in our lives have given this notion to us. It is a strong belief and one that I feel may define the university experience.

In 1973 the stage was set for an unprecedented change in America. The United States Supreme Court was about to decide one of the most important cases in US history. This case addressed the issue of a woman’s right to choose. The Supreme Court decided in an astonishing 5-4 decision that abortions were constitutional, and that being prochoice was in fact a right that all women have. Now another issue, similar to the 1973 decision, but one that is affecting both men and women, is taking shape upon college campuses throughout the US. All students know what I am talking about: we are raised on that idea that when we get to college we will be free to decide what we want to do each day. But something has happened in the numerous universities across the countries, when students get there, they realize that they have been stripped of a fundamental right—// the right to choose. // But no longer, we students must stand up and fight against this atrocity, which is mandatory attendance. I stand here proudly today and announce that we shall no longer take this oppression—I believe in no mandatory attendance.

It all started in 2008, I was a freshman at CU and was enrolled in a writing class. This class was a very interesting one; however, this class had the unconstitutional policy of mandatory attendance. Needless to say I, along with many other classmates, suffered because of this policy. I had been sick a few times throughout the semester, and had no more free absences. During Thanksgiving break that year, there was a terrible snowstorm, which prevented me from being able to fly back on time. I was unable to attend the Monday class, and was dropped a letter grade in that class.

Now that the problem has had light shed upon it, I no doubt assume that many of you listeners have taken up the cause. At this point, I go further to suggest that to fix the larger university problem, more than just no mandatory attendance must be enacted. I propose that semesters are no longer mandatory. As students, and especially out-of-state students, we pay thousands of dollars a year… and learn little of what we will need in our professional careers…we are simply paying for a diploma. If I am paying for a diploma then that is what I want. When your final year’s tuition is paid the university officials must give us a diploma. I know this seems extreme but what’s the difference between paying tuition and receiving a diploma right then and there, from that of having semester after semester with no mandatory attendance?

See the light dear audience. The time has come where we must rise up and overcome. The injustices committed by the university will not go unsought. It is my right, no your right, no all our rights to not have to go to class… ever. Like the brave women in the 70’s, we have a cause that is worth fighting for, and one that will be found to be constitutional. But the road is long and dark, with many hardships to come; we must stand strong in what we believe—no mandatory attendance.

I am Wes Martin, a senior political science student at this spectacular university. I love unicycling, going to the circus, and rainbows. media type="file" key="02 - Ruff Ryders' Anthem.mp3"