An SGA senator submitted a verdict appeal in the Senate vice president’s hearing.
Sen.
Read more about Gipson-Black’s hearing.
Martinez invited members of SGA to a meeting prior to the appeal submission at 6 p.m. on Friday in the library to discuss the appeal. Sen. Blake Lemmons (at-large senior) and Sen. KC Curry (religion) attended.
“I just want people to go into things with level heads and not be biased to anything,” Curry said.
Martinez submitted the appeal based on the grounds of bias and procedural issues.
The appeal addressed the Student Court’s decision to drop the Code of Conduct charges based on oversight of governing documents.
Martinez wrote that the court used conflicting documents to support dropping the charge. She claimed there was no online version of the Code of Conduct for the Court to access, and they received the documents from senators instead.
“A few minutes prior to the hearing, a charge was dropped in which witness testimony and evidence had been prepared,” she wrote.
Evidence was to be collected by 7:30 p.m.
“Once the court assumed the charge, and time for evidence had closed, it was reckless for the court to dismiss it without having allowed another hearing separately for the charge,” she wrote.
Martinez said in the notice given by Student Court prior to the hearing, they mentioned a neutral faculty member would serve as scribe for the hearing.
“Instead the SAC advisor was present as scribe. SAC is under the umbrella of SGA,” she wrote.
Martinez wrote that there is no clear standard for which anyone can be held accountable for their actions because, after hearing Gipson-Black testify to violating his standing rules, the Court did
Corinne Prudente, acting junior, submitted a letter in support of the appeal addressing the procedural issues with the Code of Conduct.
“The Student Court was well aware that the charges against Gipson-Black directly pertained to the SGA Code of Conduct, yet made no attempts to acquire this document. The Student Court’s lack of preparation to rule on this case should not result in the charges being thrown away, as this is a disservice to SGA and to the student body,” she wrote.
Martinez concluded the appeal stating that
According to the appeal process outlined in the Bylaws, SGA advisors review and decide the verdict on appeals. Dr. Amy Ayres, dean of students, will make the final verdict.
“I trust that whatever happens will be in the best interest of SGA,” Martinez said in an interview with Student Publications.
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