In a special meeting Thursday, student senators approved a resolution that urges UF students to consider the "severe negative consequences" of Amendment 2, which defines marriage as a legal union between a man and woman and could affect UF's benefits for employees with domestic partnerships.
Senators decided to keep the resolution, which does not take action, off of the agenda Tuesday, but Orange and Blue Party Sen. Benjamin Dictor gathered enough signatures from senators of both parties to request a meeting to debate the resolution.
The Student Senate met for about two hours to discuss and vote on the issue.
Although there was a stark difference of opinion during the first hour and a half of debate, a group of senators from both parties huddled in a corner of Graham Gallery during a two-minute recess to reach a compromise.
What followed was unanimous approval of an amended resolution, in which the last clause urging students to vote against the amendment was replaced with a statement urging students to educate themselves about the issue's "severe negative consequences."
Dictor, who represents the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said senators are elected to take positions on tough issues and should not fear backlash from their constituents.
"Yes, we have to stand up to be counted, but we have to stand up where it counts, too," he said. "We are in no position to pass this by."
Some senators argued that voting on the resolution would cheat the voices of students they represent.
Gator Party Sen. Marissa Martinelli, who represents Jennings Hall, said approving the resolution may give students a reason to mock senators and call them biased.
Gator Party Sen. Jonathan Fager, who represents District A, said voting would open a door for Senate to take a stance on other controversial issues.
"An issue like this has no place in this chamber, and it sets a dangerous precedent," Fager said.
A letter stating opposition to Amendment 2 from UF President Bernie Machen that ran in The Gainesville Sun was read aloud by Alfredo Pelicci, a UF political science senior who has done work with the resolution for the last four months.
"President Machen did not issue his opinion on behalf of the entire student body," Fager said, referring to Machen leaving his formal title out of the signature.
Pelicci urged senators to let party divides go and take a stance on the civil rights issue.
"This is an issue of our time," he said.
