Senate votes to reject Treasurer’s resignation

Student Senate, in a nine-six roll-call vote Monday, rejected Senate Treasurer Ashley Swanson’s resignation, which she tendered last week under pressure from Senate President Jacob Rissler and Senate Vice-President Nate Jones.

Rissler read a prepared statement to the Senate Body.

“It has come to my attention that I lack the constitutional foundation to call for Ms. Swanson’s resignation,” Rissler said,  “therefore; in order to rectify the procedure, I hereby recommend that Senate refuse to accept Ms. Swanson’s resignation from Monday, Jan. 20’s meeting.”

During the discussion, that followed, Andrews Senator Taylor Strong, sophomore of Gering, asked Swanson why she did not speak up during last Monday’s meeting.

“I don’t have an answer for that.” Swanson said.

Jon Hansen, interim vice president of marketing and enrollment, summoned the executive officers and asked them to explain the situation further.

“It was obvious to me that it wasn’t within Jacob’s purview or authority to ask for that resignation.” Hansen said Tuesday.

Hansen said that he directed the executive board and their advisers to work together to find a resolution.

“There was obviously no way to go back and undo completely what was done, but it could be made right.” Hansen said.

Hansen said the decision to step down was Swanson’s, and that if she were to finish out her term, it would send a message.

“There’s no conflict of interest between being in one particular organization and sitting on that committee,” Hansen said.

Hansen said that the concerns with conflict of interest were perceived on Rissler’s part, and that “all parties concerned should work diligently to ensure that there aren’t conflicts.”