Resolution on a Moratorium on the Death Penalty

Whereas

The spirit of the university

is embodied in open and rational discourse, humane forms of problem-solution,

the humility inevitably generated by the quest for knowledge, and dedication

to justice; and

Whereas

The

anger and fear ensuing from crimes very often incomprehensible to the average

individual

are inimical and even contrary to the values and spirit of the academy;

and

Whereas

The

knowledge resulting from new technologies makes it apparent that the death

penalty has

Whereas

It

has been demonstrated repeatedly that the death penalty is unfairly applied

to individuals

on

the basis of theirracial and/or ethnic background, ignorance and poverty,

major mental

retardation,

and/or severe emotional deprivation or damage, and substandard legal

Whereas

The

report of a highly-respected commission comprised of both supporters and

opponents of

the

death penalty calls for massive reforms in the way states and the federal

government

now

conceptualize and use the death penalty; and

Whereas

For

many of these reasons the states of Illinois and Maryland recently enacted

a moratorium

on

the death; penalty; therefore be it

Resolved

That

the SFSU Academic Senate endorse actions to place a moratorium on the death

penalty

in

the state ofCalifornia, and further be it

Resolved

That

the SFSU Academic Senate urge its elected representatives to support pending

legislation

calling

for a moratorium on executions; and further be it

Resolved

That

the SFSU Academic Senate reaffirm its commitment to the values of reason,

open

and

further be it

Resolved

That

the SFSU Academic Senate send copies of this resolution to Governor Gray

Davis,

John

Burton, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, Californians for a Moratorium on

Executions,

Senator

Dianne Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, andCalifornia State University

Chancellor

Charles

B. Reed.