Impeachments
by
Reginald Davis, Editor-in-Chief
Poor prioritizing led to a record number of impeachments within the Student Government Association. However, conflicting views and lack of direction within the SGA prevented the issue from being resolved in 2005, causing some to doubt the legitimacy of these impeachments.
According to the SGA constitution, which was revised last fall following the induction of President LaQuanta Murray, an elected official is allowed only three absences. The five former members allegedly neglected to adhere to that policy, and on January 17 th, were each given a letter of impeachment.
Murray vehemently denies that the decisions were based on any bias or political tactics. She maintains that the action taken was “based solely on absences. It can be found in the new constitution as well as in the old constitution. You have to adhere to certain disciplinary actions,” she said.
“Everybody understood completely...it was not nothing personal,” said Murray. “Had proper protocol not been followed, I wouldn’t be the SGA president. I would be contradicting my entire presidency by not following the constitution. It’s all about accountability...when we took the oath we agreed to abide by the constitution.”
Willie Miller, former secretary of academic affairs who assisted with the implementation of a new constitution, left a letter in Murray’s mailbox stating his immediate resignation from his position. “I turned in a formal resignation before I was told I was in danger of being impeached. They (SGA) said they would get back to me if I was to be impeached. I was never given a letter of impeachment at all.” Miller said.
“I had heard that they were having meetings about absences...she (Murray) said that a letter about my absences was ready for me, and to pick it up in her office. The meeting was on Tuesday night and they asked if I had any information on the dates of absence during my tenure in the SGA. I stated that I did not, and they said when a decision was made I would be contacted. The letter [of resignation] was turned in on Wednesday morning. I had no energy to put into the SGA.” Because the impeachments were effective immediately the letter had no bearing.
Murray stressed that while Miller was effective in preparing the academic calendar for Fall 2006-07, he had neglected to appropriate dates for the Spring 2006 calendar, leaving unresolved matters from Fall 2005.
"As far as the process is concerned, I blame us as an executive board because we should have come together...we got so bogged down with other things that we couldn't take care of home," said Tiffany Jones, SGA vice president. Jones said accountability has a dual role, and that the SGA has been slightly lacking in that area.
Waikenya Clanton, former sophomore class president, does not believe that the impeachments were justified at all. She said, “when you issue an impeachment to someone you should have something to back up your facts instead of saying this or that was done. I’m still waiting on the dates that I allegedly missed. I’ve asked the president several times and she has not given them to me yet. I don’t feel like it was handled properly…to call us in and say ‘you’ve been impeached’; you didn’t even give us notice. If you say some person has missed six days, maybe even more, then you should have given that person a warning, but it’s okay.”
Clanton said that she asked Murray to see these dates, but it has been at least ten days and she has yet to receive a response. According to Clanton, “She (Murray) said she had them on one evening, but when it was time for me to get them, she said she didn’t have them all. I’m not waiting anymore, I’m over it. If you are supposed to eliminate someone after missing three days during their tenure then why would you have someone miss six days and not let them know when they have missed three days?” said Clanton.
According to Candice King, SGA general secretary, Clanton and others were in fact provided the dates and did in fact exceed the maximum number of absences. King says, “I turned in my dates, and did what I was told to do. She (Clanton) was shown her dates, but they can see them again and again,” King said.
Jones empathizes and contests that. “Honestly, we impeached some very good people, but you have to be accountable for your actions. They did a great job during their tenure. The members appointed by the classes and executive board will come in and do a great job...even make it better.”
“I do believe they were justified... (and) better late than never. We had to come in, and we had to do what we had to do. We have the potential to be a great SGA...remembered for doing great things and making change at Tougaloo College, and until we get to where we can work, we’re going to be stagnant. We have to do more because we haven’t met our full potential,” said Jones.
Charles Stevenson, sophomore class vice president said, “It was not emphasized and they should have given warnings. Of course, you’re an adult, but there should have been someone’s responsibility to give advance warnings since that many of the student leaders have various positions to maintain (it is easy to lose track of time).”
In the case of Miller, Murray said, “We are looking to take someone who was on his committee...who was aware of what was going on.” In reference to his resignation Miller states, “The threat of impeachment was the icing on the cake for working with the ineffective SGA executive board. When I was given this threat, I found it to be the appropriate time to stop working with this ineffective organization.”
A copy of the constitution can be obtained by contacting the SGA office.
