The Nexus’ decision to not endorse the A.S. Women’s Commission reaffirmation reflects its lack of knowledge of the Women’s Commission’s work. This lack of knowledge is also reflected in the Nexus’ limited coverage and documentation of actual events and actions that are organized by Women’s Commission. Women’s Commission not only funded but also actively participated in the 10-month planning process for the Womyn of Color Conference, featured in the April 8 issue of the Nexus. This article appeared on the front page and quotes Janett Cardiel, the current co-chair of Women’s Commission and one of the organizers of the conference. For the Nexus to state, “We could not find good things to say about the Women’s Commission,” shows that it does not research its own material that it sends to print and that it is out of touch with the organizations on campus. This is why we feel it’s important to let the Nexus know what we are doing on campus.

Women’s Commission is a collective group of “womyn”-identified individuals who are committed to providing a safe space for all women to organize and discuss issues affecting women. It is an umbrella organization that provides funding to events pertaining to women and also understands the multitude of identities that women encompass. It works actively to educate and build coalitions with other organizations to run campaigns around these issues.

Women’s Commission also publishes an annual zine, HerStory, which documents women’s experiences in the form of essays, poems, slams and various artwork. This year, it has been delayed because of Associate Students’ failure to respond to the commission’s needs, such as a usable, long-term computer. This has kept editors from being able to work on the highly anticipated zine.

Women’s Commission this year, like every year, has worked actively with other organizations to put on events to inform students of issues that may not always be discussed in classrooms. One of the many events was the “Womyn Respond” rally held in Storke Plaza. It was organized for all women and allies to inform people of the effects of President Bush’s policies on women. The coverage the Nexus gave this event in Fall Quarter 2004 was also limited. Women’s Commission also called for town hall meetings for all women’s organizations to talk about how we can work together. Once again, all that we ask is that the Nexus staff looks at the articles they send to print to find evidence of what we do. The Nexus staff failed to remember or research their own archives before they wrote the endorsements of A.S. affirmations and this shows a blatant disregard for accurate reporting.

Accountability to accurately document and research what has been published in your own archives is what we demand. How can you trust the Nexus staff with what they have to say about each organization and campus politics if they are not willing to practice journalistic integrity by thoroughly researching information before it goes to print?

Yvonne Tran is a sophomore law and society and Asian American studies major and Mary Trieu is a junior global studies major.