In the wake of the recenttermination of Kellee Craig, former Student Government Association chief ofstaff, the student senate, at the request of Craig, has opted to takeaction.
On Tuesday, Nov. 30, Craig wentbefore the senate in an emotional appeal, seeking justice for what she felt wasa wrongful and illegal termination, on the part of Arthur Monroe, SGA pesident.
“I am humiliated, disappointed, hurtand angry,” Craig said in heraddress to the senate. “Mr. Monroe has crossed the line and has clearly abusedhis power as Student Government Association president.”
Craig accused Monroe of grossmisconduct and negligent behavior.
“Mr. Monroe is acting like a tyrantor dictator rather than an elected official who is accountable for his actionsto the student body who elected him and the people who he has been chosen torepresent.” Craig said.
Following Craig’s address, AlvinWoods, senior class president, Justin McCorkle, junior class president, ReubenGriffin, freshman class president and Chanel Lemelle, former SGA activitiescoordinator addressed the senate and spoke on Craig’s behalf. Carmen Rossum,SGA vice-president, and president of the senate, expressed her discontent withthe fact that he had not discussed his decision with her or anyone else priorto Craig’s dismissal. “I am yourvice-president, and you didn’t even consult with me about this,” Rossum said,directly addressing Monroe.
After hearing various testimoniesthe senate then closed the floor, after which Mary Kay Sims, SGA senator,called Monroe to the floor, and asked him why he had terminated Craig. Monroe could not produce what thesenate considered a valid reason, and he was given until 8 am the following dayto produce acceptable grounds for his decision to terminate Craig. JasonHughes, SGA senator, made a motion that if Monroe did not comply with thedemand, he would be censured and his stipend would be suspended.
The senate also established aspecial committee that would investigate Craig’s accusations againstMonroe. Those specific accusationsthat were to be investigated were the alleged breech of an official executiveorder, and alleged breech of the constitution and bylaws of the SGA, on thepart of Monroe in dismissing Craig.
The following morning, Monroeproduced what he believed to be valid reasons for Craig’s dismissal: “Mydecision to relieve her of her duties came as a result of continuedconfrontations in the office between her (Craig) and me, negligence in managingthe staff, and blatant disrespect for me and the leadership of this organization.”
Monroe went on to site other reasonsfor the termination such her “airing out the dirty laundry of the office.” He accused Craig of making theorganization look bad by doing this, and furthermore making it difficult toestablish unity amongst the members of the organization.
The senate established that Monroestill did not have justifiable cause for terminating Craig, and sent the issueinto further review by its special committee.
”I feel that the senate and the Supreme Court must act expeditiouslyin order to avoid future obstructionist tactics by the president,” Hughes said.
The committee has established thatMonroe was negligent and as a result, the senate has formally censuredMonroe. Furthermore, the issue hasbeen sent to the SGA Supreme Court, for judicial review.
“I feel given the circumstances Iunderstand what they have done and why they have done it,” Monroe said.
