About 20 students as well as various Government of the Student Body members attended a University Affairs Committee meeting Tuesday night to voice opinions on religious symbols in the Memorial Union Chapel.

There were many differing opinions on what should be done with the chapel.

The first subject discussed was the original purpose of the chapel, which was placed under the Gold Star Hall in order to represent fallen soldiers, said Senator Jacob Johnston, senior in management.

“No matter which item we are talking about, I have to wonder if it is ethical or moral to remove a symbol which is supposed to be there for a fallen soldier,” Johnston said.

The chapel and the library underneath the Gold Star Hall were meant to represent religious conviction and academics, said Jordan Smellie, an at-large member of the University Affairs Committee and senior in music.

Warren Blumenfeld, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, reminded senators that the Memorial Union was taken over by the state in 2003.

“I’m Jewish, I can bring my own symbols and have them there with me, but I shouldn’t’ have to look at everyone else’s symbols,” Blumenfeld said.

He said allowing the state to “support” a religion would be against separation of church and state.

“We can teach religion, but not promote or celebrate religion which is what this area is doing,” Blumenfeld said.

Dalia Abo Sheasha, sophomore in -Liberal Arts and Sciences, said she found a sense of comfort in the chapel.

“If you take the prayer rug out of the chapel that is taking the only item that represents my religion on campus, saying your going to take it out of there is like saying everyone doesn’t believe in anything,” Abo Sheasha said.

Brandon Huth, sophomore in chemical engineering, said even if the cross and pews where taken out, it would still look like a church.

“A mosque doesn’t look like a church. You just can’t get passed that It looks like a church,” Huth said.

Jacob Wilson, vice speaker of the Senate and senior in political science, voiced his opinions as well.

Wilson said that he is often asked how a symbol could hurt someone.

“If I go in there the cross isn’t going to beat me, it’s attached to the wall pretty well,” Wilson said. “I just don’t think its fair to have three religions represented.”

Wilson also said that he gets questioned why they are discussing this space, because it isn’t used frequently.

He said if the space became neutral, the GSB public relations committee would work to invite more groups to use the space.

“I am not anti-Christianity, but as a white male, the majority, I need to make sure I’m looking out for the minority,” Wilson said.