By SARA BERGQUIST

sbe007@latech.edu

 

The pursuit for Student Government Association president continued when Matt Babcock, candidate for SGA president and a senior agriculture business major, appealed the SGA Supreme Court decision May 4.

Dickie Crawford, dean of student life, said the Student Organization Committee is in the process of drafting a letter explaining its decision to the students who appealed the SGA Supreme Court’s decision.

“We wanted to make sure everything is communicated in a proper fashion,” Crawford said. “It has been a difficult process for everyone involved. We will move forward with a better, stronger SGA because of it.” 

The SGA Supreme Court decided on May 1 Caleb Smith would serve as the SGA president elect.

Babcock submitted his appeal to Administrative Action of the SOC May 4.

“I ask the Administrative Action of the [SOC] to review the full merits of this case and deliver its remedy in accordance with protecting the integrity of our organization and the integrity of the responsibilities to students as outlined in the Student Handbook,” Babcock stated in his written appeal.

Babcock also stated the SOC does not have the authority to sentence Smith, but the decision is to be left to the SGA Supreme Court or Election Committee.

Babcock’s appleal said when the SOC decided the original ruling of the SGA Supreme Court was “null and void,” the case against Smith should be considered for additional review. Babcock also asked the executive members of the SOC to review the full merits of the case.

Babcock said in his appeal Smith was in violation of Section 6.05 of the Student Handbook.

Section 6.05 states, “Certain behaviors which, upon review present a clear and present danger to the university community will be dealt with swiftly and seriously.”

Babcock appeal said Smith was in violation of the Handbook when he used the slogan “LSU-R Heck No!” as part of his campaign.

“Mr. Smith was educated on the issue of LSU-R and dishonestly used this slogan, which sent the student body into an uproar and gained media attention,” Babcock’s appeal said.

Babcock also stated in his appeal he thinks the members of the SOC were biased and not willing to allow the case to fully be reviewed by the SGA Supreme Court.

Babcock used the written opinion of Eric Pardue, Chief Justice for the SGA Supreme Court and a graduate student of history, as an example. Pardue removed himself from further SGA elections hearings.

“Any decision I may present outside of the initial ruling that night will be prejudiced and upon the cases brought forth by both parties as well as the initial deliberations of that body,” Pardue stated in his opinion.

Tyler Landry, SGA senator and a sophomore psychology major, also submitted an appeal on the grounds of a procedural error to Administrative Action of the SOC May 4.

“I feel that the handling of this situation by the SOC was unprofessional and biased,” Landry’s appeal said.

Landry also said in his appeal it was important to point out those students who were present at the first appeal hearing, the SOC meeting and the second hearing varied.

“I find that this inconsistency was disturbing to the members because the facts and issues seemed to have changed in each meeting,” Landry said in his appeal. “In relation to that, the justices were unfamiliar with what facts ... should be recognized.”

Landry also said in his appeal the two statements he made above proved those decisions by the SGA Supreme Court would be biased because of the first SOC meeting.  

Landry concluded his appeal by stating he thinks the SOC overstepped its authority and conducted itself in an unprofessional manner throughout the entire process.

Heather Bowden, junior class president and a junior education major, also submitted a written appeal to Administrative Action of the SOC on May 4. Bowden said in her appeal the SOC does not have the authority to overturn the SGA Supreme Court decision.

Bowden also said she felt justices on the SGA Supreme Court were encouraged to reach a quick verdict and made a rash and quick decision to end the SGA elections.

As of press time the decision regarding the appeals filed against Smith were not publicized.