 "Photo: Anchor Photo/Bethany L'Etoile")
SCG Treasurer Christopher Kelly removed from office as a result of vote following lengthy debate.
At last Wednesday’s Parliament meeting, Student Community Government, Inc. Treasurer Christopher Kelly was removed from office following a 14-10 vote of no confidence. Kelly chose to not be present or address the body during discussion on the motion and the vote was taken after over an hour and a half of debate.
Once roll was called and amendments were made to the agenda, the Open Forum portion of the meeting began. Finance Commission Non-Parliament Member Matthew Boyden-Wilson appeared to speak against Kelly, and expressed his lack of confidence in the two-term treasurer’s ability to properly and effectively execute his duties.
While occasionally pointing directly at Kelly, Boyden-Wilson said, “…what I have seen as a student is an officer who picks and chooses policy as it suits his purpose. What I have seen is an officer who abuses his authority. What I have seen is an officer more concerned with profits and his resume than serving the student interest.
“…I could talk about his lack of transparency or his negligence as a treasurer…Does this man really have your confidence? He does not have mine,” he said.
The meeting continued with SCG President Joshua Laguerre’s announcements, which included that he will be attending a student government presidents’ conference in Washington, D.C. this year. Afterwards, he introduced alumni speaker Chris Farell, who spoke about how he got involved in campaigns and how members of Parliament could join him in participating in elections.
Next to make his announcements was SCG Vice President Travis Escobar. He announced that May 5 will be the elections for next year’s SCG executive and Parliament officers, and that students who wish to run must have their petition certified by noon on May 4. SCG Secretary Shawn Andrews was next. He focused on the upcoming STORGY Awards, which are tentatively set to be held at the Weston the first weekend in May. Student organizations will begin the award nomination and voting process after Spring Break.
Kelly then took the floor for what would become his final announcements, and said that he would not address the comments made by Boyden-Wilson. Instead, he spoke to the numerous members of the Resident Student Association that came to the meeting after being dissatisfied with their projected budget for next year.
“They’re [RSA] mad about something that the Finance Commission really did,” Kelly said, after explaining that their budget would be released the following day.
Representative Kameron Spaulding, who is also editor-in-chief of The Anchor, next took the floor, and said that he did want to discuss what Mr. Boyden-Wilson came to speak about.
“I am upset by a constant lack to follow policy, rules, be open and [not being] honest with people, which I think is the highest reason we’re here,” Spaulding said. “If we lose the faith of these people, we lose what we’re here for.”
After his brief comments, Spaulding said his confidence in the treasurer had been shaken, and motioned for a vote of no confidence in Kelly. The motion was quickly seconded by Rep. Andrew Augustus. After this motion was made, Treasurer Kelly left the room, saying that he’d be outside and to send someone for him when Parliament was done deliberating.
“Personally and professionally, I don’t believe that voting Chris out will solve anything,” Laguerre said as he attained the floor to make a case against the motion.
Rep. Amanda Berno, who is also president of RSA, said, “Our advisor spoke with Chris Kelly and he told her some things that may or may not have been true…I found out that some of the things he did say to her were lies and thinking that an officer on Parliament is lying not only to organizations but also to a professional staff member, that inspires no confidence in me and also in the students I represent.”
Berno was referring to a lengthy conversation that Kelly was seen having with RSA Advisor Joie Steele at the Student Organization Showcase after the conclusion of Wednesday afternoon’s Finance meeting in the Student Union. RSA, along with numerous other organizations on campus, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the $140,000 in cuts made to student club budgets for next year, printed by The Anchor after being leaked two weeks ago.
Concern was raised by some members over the possibility of SCG’s financial business grinding to a halt if the treasurer were removed, at which point Spaulding reassured Parliament that in the absence of a Treasurer, President Laguerre could still sign any financial documents just as any president of an organization can sign their own club’s withdrawal slips. On the subject of the Finance Commission, Spaulding countered with, “An ex-officio member may sit over Finance next Wednesday so Finance can still meet…”
After several rounds of comments by other Parliament members, Alumni Rep. Nigel Evangelista passed the floor to former SCG President Chris Buonanno, who was among the many students present in the gallery at the meeting.
“When I was the secretary and president-elect, the Student Activity Fee was $45. Now it’s $60 thanks to myself and Mr. Lima working together with then-President Nazarian.” He continued, “The reason we did that is so we’d have enough money to give to the clubs to suffice their needs, to make sure that we have a sufficient amount of money to come and ask and get what they needed. To cut below where we were at $45…to me goes against what student government should be trying to do.”
He ended with, “Vote wisely.”
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