Court to clarify SGA constitution

Written by Caitlin Gibbons
(cgibbon4@mscd.edu)

Member seeks interpretation on appointments

The Student Government Assembly has submitted a formal request for an interpretation by the student court regarding SGA’s constitution.

Senate Speaker Pro-tempore Savannah Powell submitted the request March 2 to the court. Powell said she wants to ensure SGA is following all outlined policies and guidelines regarding the recent appointment of Attorney General C.J. Garbo to the vacant vice presidency.

“There were some questions and concerns raised by people within the assembly,” Powell said. “I want to take some steps to clarify [the process].”

When a request for interpretation is filed with the court, a response must be issued within 10 business days, according to SGA judicial bylaws, section 10.

In Powell’s request she writes, “Members of the Student Government Assembly are expected to uphold the highest standards in ethical conduct while in office as outlined in Chapter 4 of the Policy Manual. If one or more members of the senate express a concern that there may be a direct conflict of interest should this be noted and respected accordingly?” The court will decide if this is a matter subject to an interpretation or better suited by filing a complaint.

According to SGA President Andrew Bateman, requests for interpretations usually deal with present matters, not past.

The interpretation will clarify the questions of legitimacy regarding the appointment process.
“The most important thing is to ensure that the SGA is acting with integrity,” Powell said.

Powell said she has not looked into the process for filing a complaint, as the process is entirely different. Complaints deal with an issue surrounding a specific situation or person. If the request for an interpretation is not the answer, Powell said she will file a complaint.

“C.J. Garbo would make an excellent vice president. As for his qualifications, he cannot fulfill all his duties,” Powell said. “This has nothing to do with his abilities, but he cannot serve as the chair of the Student Advisory Board until he is confirmed.”

Powell, as speaker pro-tempore, stepped into the vice presidency earlier in the semester when Heather Broadead resigned the position.

When Powell assumed the role of vice president, she also took over as the SAB chair.
“A person has to remain in that position for a full term,” Powell said, noting she’s still performing some vice presidential duties even with Garbo’s appointment.

“There are split duties between us, and it has made things a little messy,” Powell said. This is another concern Powell has regarding the appointment, and the senate bylaws.

“We need to hold ourselves accountable to the student body, especially since we are funded by student fees,” Powell said.

“I look forward to having some resolution on this question,” Bateman said.

The court will meet at 9:30 a.m. on March 6 in Tivoli 307C. Students are invited to submit “amicus curiae” or “friend of the court” briefs on the matter. Briefs may be anything appropriate toward clarifying any thoughts or opinions on the interpretation and may be hand delivered to the SGA judicial branch office in Tivoli 307B. Briefs must be in a sealed envelope clearly addressed to the student court. Briefs mays also be e-mailed to mscd-sgacourt@mscd.edu.

The court will not hear testimony. However, students may address the court during the public comment period in the open portion of the meeting.