By Farris Willingham, Editor-in-Chief
The incumbent Student Government Association president faces charges from student senators that could lead to her removal from office.
Members of Student Senate’s steering committee are finalizing their recommendations April 6 for a 15-page document calling for the impeachment of Emma Velez, president-elect of SGA.
Velez’s removal, which the steering committee will present to Senate at their April 10 meeting, would require a two-thirds vote, Sen. Anthony England (senior-at-large) said.
“Whatever the Senate decides is final,” he said.
Velez either will be removed from office or cleared of all charges, England said.
If the senators vote to impeach Velez, Senate President Sarah Cook would assume the temporary role as SGA president until inauguration, England said. Cook contended against Velez for the presidential seat in the 2012 SGA elections.
England said Cook is not part of the impeachment effort.
Robin Ladd, Senate president-elect, would fill the position post-inauguration.
President Velez declined to comment before senators announced formal charges.
In the meantime, students outside of SGA are distributing a petition to support Velez.
That is their right, Velez said.
“I applaud them for exercising their voices in regards to this important matter that has implications for all students, not just members of SGA,” she said.
