Senator removed

University College Senator Michael Havard, was dismissed unanimously from his position for failing to meet his responsibilities, Undergraduate Student Government President Brad Patout announced at Tuesday’s meeting.

Since he no longer is a senator, Havard was also removed as chairman of the Constitutional By-Laws and Review Committee and as a member of the Student Body Activities Committee, Patout said.

University College Whip Drew Weidenbacher said after the USG meeting that Havard failed to write a newsletter for University College students updating them on student government activities. Havard said he didn’t write it because he was too busy, according to minutes from a Nov. 19 meeting of University College legislators, students and administration. Havard was removed from his position at that meeting.

Weidenbacher also said that Havard’s failure to write the newsletter wasn’t the only problem the University College Student Government Association had with his work ethic, but he didn’t elaborate.

“What it comes down to is two things,” University College Dean Richard Marksbury, who attended the Nov. 19 meeting, said. “Michael wasn’t representing the college properly, and wasn’t doing his job. So he was removed.”

At the Nov. 19 meeting, Havard contended that he had droves of students in his corner who would argue he had been working diligently in his position. Yet, according to the minutes, several people there asked Havard to name those students so they could speak on his behalf. He failed to do so.

“The Executive Board impeached me on the charges of my inability to accept direction. I have stated that my direction didn't come from the Executive Board, which has its own agenda, rather my direction comes from the students, and I act in the manner that will best help the students,” Havard said.

“Another charge was the inability to represent the needs of the University College student, as being a new University College student, working a full-time job, and taking 13 credit hours in school, I believe that I have represented the need of the UC student population well, and will continue to so even if not in the senate,” he said.

Havard tried to appeal his dismissal, but was rebuffed by Patout, who wrote Havard in an e-mail that University College had acted within its constitutional powers and that there were no grounds for appeal.

Marksbury said that while Havard was removed from his position, he was not impeached as Havard contends.

“Michael was not elected. He was appointed by the UC officers. They have the right to appoint him, and they have the right to fire him,” Marksbury said.

The dean drew on the analogy of President Bush picking his Cabinet.

“[Secretary of State] Colin Powell serves at the leisure of the President, and when the President doesn’t want him, he is removed. But a Cabinet member cannot be impeached,” he said.

University College is the only member of USG that appoints its own senators. According to Marksbury, this practice came about six or seven years ago, when University College was threatening to secede from USG. At the time, University College did not feel it was getting proper attention. Vice President of Student Life Dr. Dan Nadler and former Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Martha Sullivan, who left in 2003, instituted the appointment of senators as a compromise.

The college also had problems holding elections, since many of the students in the school hold jobs and have families in addition to attending class. Frequently, the college cannot get enough people to run to fill its open student government positions. Appointing them gives University College officers the chance to offer Senate seats to those students they think are most qualified, whether or not those students have had time to campaign, Marksbury said.

There is no word on a replacement for Havard.