SGA Student Senate holds special session

Last night, the Student Government Association Student Senate met for a special session called by Carey Ash, SGA president.
The president called the special session to address the weekend’s events-the dismissal of Channing Blake, former SGA vice president.
Ash started the session by addressing the Senate and his explanation of why Blake was removed from this post.
“It does not bother me that the vice president met a few challenges, what bothers me is what has taken place before, during and after such challenges were faced.”
Recounting the events that took place, Ash told the Senate that students from Blake’s college informed him that Blake did not have the necessary grade point average to hold the position of vice president nor file for office as SGA President during the 2008-09 elections.
“I do not have the authority, nor can I access a student’s academic record,” continued Ash. “Each semester, all the officials, our names and information are submitted to the director of programs [SGA advisor Twyana Cain]. She then requests from the registar to verify who is eligible and ineligible to serve.”
On the eighth of February, Ash said he received the letter of verification, but Blake’s name was omitted from the list; despite class queens, presidents, senators and other SGA members whose names were listed.
“The former vice president watched and was in agreement when members of the SGA were removed from their positions,” the president said.
Making the point clear that he did not see Blake’s transcript nor does he know his exact grade, Ash said the Office of the Registar, via Terrel Jackson, gave him a “yea” or “nay” on Blake having a 2.5 GPA.
Refuting rumors that Blake was removed solely for the upcoming elections, Ash stated that whenever time he would have been informed of the grades, his actions would have been the same, election or not.
Ash went on to say that three people definitely knew of Blake’s grade; Jackson, their advisor, Cain and Blake, yet they did not inform him of what was going on. Allowing Blake to act in the capacity as vice president and enjoy all the perks of the office even though he did not have the grades to serve.
“Grades should be certified at the highest levels of this university…to insure true transparency within the SGA. I am also proposing that we post those members of SGA who are eligible to serve each semester.”
Taking into account that as of now, only one person in the SGA and Cain, has the authority to make the list of those eligible and ineligible to fulfil their duties. Ash stated that he recommends the Student Senate and the student president choose their own advisor.
“Our university is facing perilous times. We are in the mist of searching for a new chancellor; the SGA budget was cut by $13,000 and enrollment is dwindling…Just as we have gotten discounts the no one thought we could do, just as we got textbook assistance, a fall break and dead days…we will get through this.”
When one senator brought up why Ash did not address Blake’s role as vice president and his inability to be an effective leader, Ash responded that it was the Senate’s role, not his to impeach or bring forth their concerns about Blake’s leadership skills.
After Ash’s speech, acting Vice President Stasha Rhodes, who will be sworn in today, conducted the remainder of the meeting. Rhodes appointed junior Senator Sasha Steib to head the finance committee. Organizations will now be able to approach the senate in hopes of securing funds.
“We still have a whole lot of work to do,” started Rhodes. Announcing the dates for the remaining senate meetings, Rhodes informed everyone that the dates would not be canceled and any senator who did not attend will be removed from office.
“We’ve had enough meetings with not enough people in attendance. We have one week left but understand that we can get a lot of work done in that one week,” said Rhodes.