SGA meeting turns into heated debate

By Nathan Walls
Editor

SGA junior senator Andrea Miyagi and at-large senator Scott Ammons made it perfectly clear at the March 31 SGA meeting that they were not happy with rumors that had circulated around campus prior to the 2004-05 SGA presidential election.

The pair lost the presidential election to president-elect Vanessa Jones and vice president-elect Anthony Hunt by 60 votes on March 24.

Miyagi was asked at the March 22 SGA presidential debate about whether or not she had misused SGA funds, in regards to events that went down at a commuter brunch, which happened leading up to the election.

Miyagi and Ammons had promotional flyers passed out during the brunch and SGA Secretary Jennifer Langley ripped them up because she said three flyers were under a tent and seeing that it was an SGA sponsored event was in violation of SGA policy. Due to the handing out of the flyers, a rumor regarding Miyagi misusing SGA funds was started, as well as an impeachment allegation. Miyagi felt this slandered her campaign.

“The election, I feel was handled totally and completely unprofessionally,” Miyagi said. “We had a meeting with our opponents and they affirmed that these allegations were handed down by members of the SGA. Names were requested and they would not provide information.”

SGA sophomore senator Dominique Cooper said at the meeting that it was not possible for Miyagi to misuse SGA funds, since SGA Treasurer Chib Thao had to approve funds, which no request was made for.

Miyagi asked the SGA how impeachment allegations could be made without notifying the individual who was targeted.

Langley responded, “They wouldn’t.”

Miyagi asked Langley, “They wouldn’t?”

Langley said, “No, they wouldn’t.”

Miyagi told Langley to not interrupt her, that she would like to finish speaking.
A few minutes later, SGA sophomore senator Siporia Wrighten questioned Langley’s paper-ripping antics.

“Now, was that professional?,” Wrighten asked Langley. “Was that classy?”

Langley asked if she could respond and Wrighten answered, “No, I really don’t want to hear what you have to say.”

SGA Vice President Alphonza Thomas then pounded his gavel and told Langley she could answer, to which Langley explained how the flyers being under a tent at an SGA event was a violation of the organization’s rules.

SGA at-large senator Broch Clinton then asked Ammons if the flyers were handed out under the tent.

“Yeah there was some flyers exchanging places but hold on, before you go jumping on the bandwagon or anyone else,” Ammons said. “We went over rules a week before the election started. At no time, in any of the rules or guidelines, does it state that we cannot pass out information at any SGA sponsored event.”

Rumors about Ammons involved intra-club meeting absences that he said took place because of a disability he has that requires medical treatment.

SGA senior senator Bruce Pier raised the issue of how intra-club meeting attendance was brought up at the presidential debate.

“I did not provide intra-club attendance,” Langley said. “It is not public record.”

Miyagi asked Langley, “So how was it brought up in the debate?”

Langley said, “I have no idea.”

However, Langley did say she had provided SGA meeting minutes from this school year to Jones, who had requested them, because they were public information.

Ammons took the podium soon after.

“I’ve been pushed into a corner and I don’t like that,” Ammons said.

Ammons then read a prepared speech directed towards Thomas and Langley.

“Rumors were allowed to grow and fester until they developed a life of their own…”Ammons said. “What does that say about your character Mr. vice president? You have allowed this and other rumors to surface without investigating any of these claims. Instead it was handled in a way that definitely showed partiality toward who you supported. That is your right, that’s the beauty of democracy. I’m not asking you to defend your position; I’m asking you to defend your actions. As our vice president, it is your sole responsibility to lead the senate, to investigate any claims that may affect the unity of this body. You have failed me not only as a senator but as a student…Not only did you allow unfounded rumors to spread, you allowed the actions of a certain senator/executive board member to go unaccounted for, such as destroying private property. Now, when you rip up someone else’s flyers, that’s destruction of private property.”

Thomas responded, saying, “I can’t go to every individual student and say ‘Hey, you shouldn’t listen to those rumors’…” Thomas said. “I can call all the senators together and I can have a forum, but really and truly, publicity, good or bad, is publicity.”

Thomas said a forum would have caused a “pre-debate” and led to more trouble. He also said his main role in the election was making sure flyers were in their proper places and candidates were following SGA guidelines.

SGA President Nadean Hafner later apologized about not addressing the rumors earlier.

Shortly before SGA advisor and Director of Student Activities Abdul Ghaffar told the SGA it was time to end the heated discussion, SGA sophomore senator Reese Bell reminded the organization members of the rumors’ consequences.

“This will not end here,” Bell said, “this will carry on into next year and it will still be hanging over the vice president’s and president’s heads next year and also the senate."