With tension still in the air, ETSU’s Student Government Association took on the task of confirming the elected and appointed officials on Tuesday.
Starting off, President Pooja Shah, Vice President Nathan Farnor and Secretary-Treasurer Emily Marmon were sworn in by Chief Justice Rikesh Patel.
Open forum began with Carter Warden discussing details of the upcoming fall concert.
Former president pro tempore Brandon Johnson was allotted time to speak in open forum but was unable to attend. Instead, an email was sent to the newly elected senators, urging them to make an informed vote for attorney general, a position he applied for but ultimately lost to Chase Coleman.
Sen. Tessa Branham said the confirmations could not continue, according to the SGA Constitution’s rule that a 48-hour notice must be given for appointments.
Shah sent the email announcement Sunday at 5:13 p.m., which was an hour and 13 minutes off of the 4 p.m. start.
A motion was passed to suspend the rule and confirmations continued.
“Vice President Farnor, Secretary-Treasurer Marmon and I worked really hard these past couple of weeks to appoint the best people we could find for each position,” Shah said.
Cabinet positions were all confirmed except for chief justice nominee Meredith Bell, who was voted down by nine senators.
Senate and judicial positions, elected and appointed, were all confirmed. The floor was then opened for nominations for the positons of president pro tempore and parliamentarian.
Sen. Keyana Miller was voted president pro tempore, and Sen. Branham was voted parliamentarian.
During senate remarks, Branham referred to the early dismissal of her motion on the 48-hour appointment notice and moved to undo the overruling.
“We are allowed to suspend Robert’s Rules of Law, but we are not, however, allowed to suspend the bylaws in the constitution, no matter what it is regarding,” Branham said. “With that being said, I would like to make a motion to suspend the vote that we had earlier.”
Branham’s motion would suspend the earlier rule and recall the vote, which would void all appointments.
Appointed Attorney General Coleman was referred to for confirmation of the Constitution.
After intense discussion between Coleman and Branham, as well as others present at the meeting, the decision was supposed to be decided by Coleman. However, Coleman was no longer considered attorney general.
Because of the overturning of the suspension, every appointed and confirmed individual was released from their position, rendering the majority of the meeting void.
Shah pulled up the email in question and stated that if the meeting was adjourned and began anew, a revote would be allowed. However, a 48-hour notice must also be given in order to hold a senate meeting.
With that in mind, Farnor called for a meeting to be held April 29 at 4 p.m. to revote and reconfirm those appointed to senate, judicial and cabinet positions.
The executives stand behind their elected senators and will continue to stand behind those who were appointed.
