By Susannah Waite, Editor-in-Chief
The election commission is reviewing the Student Government Association election rules after this year’s elections.
The review comes after a case and appeals ruling in the presidential election.
SGA general elections were March 25-26 with a runoff election March 28.
One recommendation the election commission has to do with penalties for cases, said Harmonniey Cheadle, chief justice of Student Court.
“There are only two penalties—a $50 fine or disqualification,” Cheadle said. “We believe this needs to be changed, because it may be worth more than a $50 fine, but not disqualification.”
There also is no formal written procedure for hearings or appeals.
“The chief justice interprets it as they see fit,” Cheadle said.
While there are some rules that need to be changed, Cheadle said the interpretation of the rules should be left up to the discretion of the chief justice.
Jacilyn Kennedy, entertainment business junior, said a written process for the hearing and appeals would have been helpful in her case.
Kennedy was disqualified after a formal complaint was brought forth against her campaign.
Kennedy appealed the decision, but the ruling of her disqualification was upheld. The complaint included a recording of a conversation between Rhameil Sampson, Kennedy’s campaign manager, and Mitch Thrower, a presidential candidate.
“We didn’t know how to present evidence or get witness statements, which made us look very unprepared,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said all communication was directed through Student Court email.
“This didn’t foster good communication, and we didn’t always receive timely responses,” she said.
Kennedy was notified a formal complaint had been filed against her at 3:45 p.m. March 11, and that a hearing would take place at 5 p.m. that same day.
“I didn’t receive notice of the charges brought against me prior to the hearing and had 15 minutes to defend myself, with no evidence to provide,” Kennedy said.
When Kennedy made her appeal, she provided the names of several witnesses to make statements on her behalf.
“We were told not to contact these witnesses or it would be considered witness tampering,” Kennedy said. “We told everyone we wanted statements from to email Student Court.”
Kennedy was not offered to hear the recording brought forth with the complaint until after the hearing and a decision was made.
“I was not offered to hear the recording until the end of the appeal hearing, in front of everyone,” Kennedy said. “I didn’t feel I could provide any evidence or defend myself in any way so I declined to listen to it.”
The hearing and appeal process was not easy to follow, Kennedy said.
“I feel like there needs to be a clear definition of the hearing and appeal process and how to present evidence,” Kennedy said. “It’s hard not knowing my rights and having to ask questions in email, because we couldn’t get a timely response.”
The recommendations are scheduled to be brought to Student Senate before the inauguration of the newly elected officials. The inauguration is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 16 in the Great Glass Atrium of Bass School of Music.
Leave a Reply