Senators vote not to impeach Senator Jones during retrial

            In a nine to three vote, with one abstaining and two absent, Student Senate voted against impeaching Sullivan Jones, senator of liberal arts, during its Monday meeting after the Constitutional Court ordered a retrial.

            During the trial, Jones was able to provide evidence and defense as to why he shouldn’t be impeached. He continued to state that he should not be removed simply because of his outspoken opinions on Senate issues.

Many senators were concerned that Jones would not set aside his beliefs on topics such as the fire pit to his constituents unbiased information.

            “Of course I’m not going to set aside my beliefs,” Jones said. “That does not mean I am not capable of doing a great job representing and protecting my constituents. We all have unique opinions, ideas, beliefs that we bring to this chamber, that’s how we get elected. Our students don’t pick us to simply abide by the beliefs of the other senators, they pick us because of the unique traits we bring to the table.”

            Senators Olivia Bryant, Natalie Boyd, Isna Patel, Megan Hodgeson, Sarah Hough, Cooper Reichman, Bryan Zutavern, Hannah Pfeifly and Adian Anderson-McClintock voted against impeaching Jones.

            Senators Kelsey Crock, McKenna Juhlin and Chioma Asielue voted to impeach Jones.

            While Jones was reinstated as senator of liberal arts, the Constitutional Court did issue disciplinary action towards him for his conduct.

            Citing malfeasance, the wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the Court suspended Jones’ voting rights for two weeks.

            Jones does have the opportunity to appeal.

            “The Court before this year has not paid much attention towards your governing body and tries to handle all cases in an unbiased opinion as possible,” Chief Justice Nathan Cronin said. “Although this year, the Court has taken a great interest now toward this governing body and watches all your actions very closely. Do not take this statement as a warning, because it is not. We just advise that all persons in this room to act like the professionals that we know you all can be. We do not enjoy seeing the amount of mistrust that the student body has for the student government.”

            In other news:

            > CAB Chair Meron Ameha was suspended from her duties for one month by the Constitutional Court, citing negligence of duty.

            > Student Senate approved the allocation of $750 to the wellbeing committee.

            >Student Senate approved the allocation of $500 for food at the Student Senate strength training day.