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Greer approved after heated debate
Approval comes with exact 2/3 senate roll
call vote |
David
Forbes
Staff Writer
SGA Beat |
Josh Brown | Chief PhotographerMiriam N. Makhyoun, a
senator from Lovill Hall, made the motion for the student senate
to reconsider Amy E. Greer for a cabinet position.
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The Senate reconsidered
and approved Amy E. Greer for the position of director of student
affairs by one vote Tuesday night, ending a week of bitter controversy.
The vote, 48-17, with seven senators abstaining,
gave Greer exactly the two-thirds margin of eligible voters needed
to approve her for a cabinet position.
Cabinet members are appointed by the student
body president and vice president but must be approved by a two-thirds
vote of the senate.
The senate refused to give the two-thirds vote
necessary to approve Greer at last week’s meeting after she
unanimously received an “unfavorable” recommendation from
the Rules Committee. The committee cited a lack of legislative experience,
original ideas and preparation as reasons for the recommendation. |
The senate refused
to give the two-thirds vote necessary to approve Greer at last week’s
meeting after she unanimously received an “unfavorable”
recommendation from the Rules Committee. The committee cited a lack
of legislative experience, original ideas and preparation as reasons
for the recommendation.
“I was concerned about her experience with legislation to a
certain extent, the most legislation comes out of student affairs,
so that was a drawback” said Allison L. Laffin, a senator from
off-campus and rules chair pro-tempore. “What I did find very
disappointing was that I felt she lacked enthusiasm, goals and she
didn’t have a single new idea.”
In the ensuing week, Greer was kept in her position, a move that
caused ill feelings among many senators, stated Student Body President
Ryan M. Eller.
The resulting division in the senate was demonstrated in the 15
rounds of debate surrounding the motion to accept Greer’s appointment.
“I hear a lot of talk about her qualifications,” said
Justin S. Miller, a senator from off-campus. “I think it’s
ridiculous. She’s been working with this position since July.
I don’t see anyone in this room who’s more qualified.”
“The autonomy of this body and the ability to fill our duties
is at stake; we’ve already ruled on this matter,” said
H. Dustin Bayard, a senator from off-campus. “The powers of
the senate are being undermined by the SGA administration. [We’ve]
already determined Greer to be an unsuitable and unqualified applicant.
One week of practice hasn’t compensated for her lack of qualifications.”
Greer defended her accomplishments in an address to the senate.
“I’m not great being put on the spot, but it’s not
that I can’t answer your questions,” said Greer. “I’m
not here to write legislation, I’m here to assist others. I’m
doing my best; I feel like I’ve done my job.”
Several senators who had previously voted against Greer’s appointment
changed their vote at Tuesday’s meeting.
“I felt I was uninformed [last time]. I judged on the basis
of the debate; I felt that Greer was unprepared,” said Miriam
N. Makhyoun, a senator from Lovill Hall, who made the motion to
reconsider Greer’s appointment to cabinet. “In the past
week I looked into it and learned about the platform goals she had
already accomplished.”
“Please feel in no way your decision has been overturned,”
said Vice President Ezell P. Williams, after the vote. “I’m
confident Greer can do a good job this year, if we can move past
this.” |
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