By Jaci Schneider, Opinion Editor

More than 90 students and faculty signed a petition last week regarding the size of the American flag at Opening Day Ceremonies at Chapel

The petition asks that the American flag be the same size as the flags from other nations.

Teresa Pecinovsky, senior Christian ministry major from Cresco, Iowa, wrote the letter and sent it to the president’s office and the Chapel office Saturday.

Dr. Money responded to the petition, said Jim Holmans, executive assistant to the president. However, the petition has already caused controversy on campus.

Susanna Drehsel, senior political science major from Heidelberg, Germany and vice president of the International Students Association, said that several international students have already heard negative comments toward them regarding the petition.

American students have said comments like, ‘They chose to come here; if they don’t like it they can leave,’ Drehsel said.

However, an ISA member did not write the petition, nor was it written in response to any complaints from ISA members.

“ISA as an organization does not support the petition,” Drehsel said.

“I want to make sure that the ACU community knows that the majority of international students is not offended (by the size of the American flag).”

Pecinovsky announced the petition in ISA Chapel on Thursday, but only four of 133 students signed it, Drehsel said, adding that at least one of those students is American.

“A majority of those who signed it are American,” Pecinovsky said.

“I am by no means speaking for the International Students Association-I can’t really because I’m not one.”

Pecinovsky said she’s gotten the same type of reactions from American and international students: some support the petition and some oppose it.

“I would like to start opening dialogue,” she said. “Let’s consider the message we’re sending-let’s get it on the table.”

She said that the image of the giant American flag unfolding above the flags from other nations could convey the idea that America is more important than the other nations represented on campus.

“Whether or not it is the intended message of American being more important than other nations, it’s being communicated,” Pecinovsky said.

“The question we have to ask is: ‘Is this welcoming people or overwhelming them with our culture?'”

Drehsel said most international students enjoy Opening Chapel.

“We’ve always enjoyed it very much,” she said. “We enjoy celebrating our heritage and the American heritage. If we were offended, we wouldn’t participate.”

Pecinovsky said she would like to have a forum about the issue.

“I think a forum is a great idea,” she said. “I think there’s enough interest that it’s possible.”