Executive branch removal policy moves from SGA to students

Oklahoma State University students will vote on new legislation requiring Student Government Association Senate consent before the removal of executive branch officers.

The bill needed a two-thirds majority, or 27 votes, to pass. The legislation narrowly passed by a vote of 28 to 12.

The Senate currently has the power to approve whoever goes into an executive office, but not over who gets removed. SGA Senator Mike Merit authored the bill, which would give the Senate power over officer removal. The bill will now be voted on by students during March SGA elections.

"I hope (it passes)," Merit said. "I won't make any assumptions on the body of the students so I'll leave that decision up to them."

Merit said the bill was not created in reaction to the removal of Laura Hadaway as SGA Historian Jan. 18.

"It isn't as a retaliation of what happened last week," Merit said, "it is more to bring us in line with our actual governments that surround us."

Before voting took place, Senate member Stephen Rogers moved to change the legislation so that only certain executive positions would be handled by the Senate. The motion passed.

"There are positions in the executive (branch) that act in ways that are legislative or judicial in manner who can by their actions create the force of law without law," Rogers said. "Since that's something we appointed by consent, I think that they should be protected."

Senator Nick Cain opposed to the bill. Cain said he thinks SGA President Ashley Leonard and future presidents should have the power to appoint and dismiss any of the cabinet members.

"I don't think we are in any place to overturn something that the president knows more about than we do," Cain said.

SGA also approved another bill authored by Merit, which would create a Veteran's Affairs director on campus.

"There are approximately 600 veterans on campus," Merit said. "What we're looking to do is give the veterans a voice."

The Senate also approved $6,150 in co-sponsorship funds of six clubs. This money would go toward various trips and events held by organizations.

SGA will meet again at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at Jones Hall inside the Conoco Phillips Alumni Center.