The LSU Student Senate passed a bill discouraging a Louisiana bill mandating that the Ten Commandments be posted on campus.
Sen. Jack Appleton and Sen. Valerio Luftig presented SGR 4 on Wednesday. This legislation urges the LSU administration to postpone the implication of Act 676 on campus.
Sen. Alicia Cerquone was also named as an author of this bill.
Act 676 was signed into law by Gov. Jeff Landry in 2024. It requires a print of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public classrooms from elementary to college level.
A federal appellate court ruled the law was constitutional on Feb. 20, allowing Louisiana to mandate the display.
LSU President Wade Rousse confirmed last month that the university will be putting up posters once they are donated.
“There is no tradition or history of public schools putting up the Ten Commandments in classrooms so I think this is shaky and students shouldn’t have to be guinea pigs of this legislative battle,” Luftig said.
When questioned on whether or not the senators had reached out to the student body, Sen. Appleton argued that it is not a matter of favor but the fact that implementing this bill would be unconstitutional.
Ultimately, the senate passed the bill with a vote of 47-1-3.
Some of the other legislation passed includes SGR 3 which was presented by Sen. Carly Minor which will request that LSU re-affiliate with the Worker Rights Consortium.
This organization partnered with LSU would, “ensure the protection of the basic human rights of workers producing university apparel and other goods,” and would be implemented on campus.
“Reaffiliating with the WRC would provide transparency for all of our licensed merchandise sales,” Minor said. “Currently, we don’t have visibility into the sources of these items.”
Minor said to do so would cost $50,000, which she believes is a small expense compared to the revenue the Senate generates.
Other pieces of legislation passed included amending the student government code.
Sen. Konnor Crowder presented both SGB 1 and SGB 2, and both were passed. The first bill will amend the code to create a more clear definition of “borrowed items” so the members of a ticket or candidate can clearly report this in their disclosure report. The second bill will work with the first bill establishing a more clear reporting method.
SGB 8 presented by Sen. Luke Ducote was passed and is also in regards to a code change.
The bill will require a candidate’s consent before being placed on a ticket or campaign. It will also allow a more clearly defined description of consent going forward.
The LSU Student Senate meets weekly Wednesdays at 6:30 in the Union Capitol Chambers.
