2008 Woodie Awards
UPDATE: Senate crushes block; Kamyck to run in SGA election
Kate Augusto
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: News
Student Government Association (SGA) presidential nominee Dan Kamyck will be allowed to run in the this year's presidential elections, following a 33 to 9 vote Monday night that lifted a block placed on his candidacy last week.
The vote and preceding discussion were initiated on SGA protocol, after senator Lucas Rose blocked Kamyck's nomination last week because he questioned Kamyck's qualifications to run SGA. Kamyck was nominated by a different senator after former candidate Marines Piney withdrew from the race and nominations were reopened.
The SGA discussion about the block began with an address by former SGA executive vice president Adriana Campos, who implored senators to protect "the integrity of the election process and this fine organization." Campos, who graduated last year, was heavily involved in drafting the direct election legislation when it began in 2006.
"The blocking clause was intended to be used only as a last resort to prevent candidates who would harm the election process itself," Campos read from a letter she had co-written. "Senator Kamyck is not such a nominee, and the student body deserves to make the ultimate decision on his qualifications for the position."
The debate that ensued highlighted two SGA factions: those who agreed with Campos and those who agreed with Rose.
Senator Matthew Soleyn came to Kamyck's defense and said upholding such a block may result in the student body permanently losing faith in SGA.
"The student body wants a true choice. Forty-nine senators should not be restricting 15,000 students," Soleyn said. "Why does [Rose] think it's appropriate for us here to steal a choice away from the student body?"
A presidential debate hosted by the Resident Student Association preceded the meeting of the Joint Senate. There, the long-standing SGA presidential candidate, Rob Ranley, applauded Kamyck's candidacy and said he welcomed the challenge of running against another senator.
Despite that statement, several of Ranley's supporters, including SGA Vice President for Student Services Chris Bourne, spoke adamantly in favor of blocking Kamyck's nomination.
"This organization was founded to be a liaison between students and administration," Bourne said. "We have to make sure that the one sole representative is able to do that and ensure that they are able to put forth what the student body wants, and while I have the most respect for our alumni … [Kamyck] has failed to make the organization better."
SGA members discussed going into executive session before debating the matter, but the required two-thirds majority was not met.
Voting for the next SGA president began at midnight and will remain open on the myNEU portal through April 6.
The vote and preceding discussion were initiated on SGA protocol, after senator Lucas Rose blocked Kamyck's nomination last week because he questioned Kamyck's qualifications to run SGA. Kamyck was nominated by a different senator after former candidate Marines Piney withdrew from the race and nominations were reopened.
The SGA discussion about the block began with an address by former SGA executive vice president Adriana Campos, who implored senators to protect "the integrity of the election process and this fine organization." Campos, who graduated last year, was heavily involved in drafting the direct election legislation when it began in 2006.
"The blocking clause was intended to be used only as a last resort to prevent candidates who would harm the election process itself," Campos read from a letter she had co-written. "Senator Kamyck is not such a nominee, and the student body deserves to make the ultimate decision on his qualifications for the position."
The debate that ensued highlighted two SGA factions: those who agreed with Campos and those who agreed with Rose.
Senator Matthew Soleyn came to Kamyck's defense and said upholding such a block may result in the student body permanently losing faith in SGA.
"The student body wants a true choice. Forty-nine senators should not be restricting 15,000 students," Soleyn said. "Why does [Rose] think it's appropriate for us here to steal a choice away from the student body?"
A presidential debate hosted by the Resident Student Association preceded the meeting of the Joint Senate. There, the long-standing SGA presidential candidate, Rob Ranley, applauded Kamyck's candidacy and said he welcomed the challenge of running against another senator.
Despite that statement, several of Ranley's supporters, including SGA Vice President for Student Services Chris Bourne, spoke adamantly in favor of blocking Kamyck's nomination.
"This organization was founded to be a liaison between students and administration," Bourne said. "We have to make sure that the one sole representative is able to do that and ensure that they are able to put forth what the student body wants, and while I have the most respect for our alumni … [Kamyck] has failed to make the organization better."
SGA members discussed going into executive session before debating the matter, but the required two-thirds majority was not met.
Voting for the next SGA president began at midnight and will remain open on the myNEU portal through April 6.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
Lucas Rose
posted 4/01/08 @ 9:49 AM EST
I find the idea that this was an argument between those who agreed with me and those who agreed with our esteemed alumni Adriana Campos very discouraging. (Continued…)
just a comment
posted 4/01/08 @ 10:51 AM EST
our esteemed alumnus Adirana Campos. Alumi is the plural. And as much as Adri is superhuman, she is still just one immortal among mortals
anon
posted 4/01/08 @ 12:43 PM EST
no talk of the nu governator scandal? gasp
Matthew Soleyn
posted 4/01/08 @ 3:17 PM EST
The NU Governator scandal isn't that big of a scandal. So Senator Oberg made fun of Senate through a blog. Honestly, I thought the blog was pretty entertaining, and maybe it did help change Senate for the better. (Continued…)
ron j.
posted 4/01/08 @ 3:37 PM EST
to my knowledge Adriana is a woman, so she's an alumna. check your facts, kids!
Disappointed ...
posted 4/02/08 @ 3:23 PM EST
... that Senator Bourne, who is generally one of the more level-headed and tactful of those in the Chambers, is trying so desperately to prove to the Kappa Sigmas in the room that he's "on their side" by joining them in barking out inappropriate and tactless rhetoric and personal accusations. (Continued…)
The Perspective of an SGA "Darksider"
posted 4/03/08 @ 6:34 AM EST
When the Senate voted 9-33 to preserve the candidacy of Senator Kamyck, it allowed a completely unqualified student to run for Student Body President, merely because he was a warm body to oppose Rob Ranley and make the election look legitimate. (Continued…)
Nikki Frankel
posted 4/03/08 @ 10:23 AM EST
Quoted from above:
"Senator Frankel, you have shown such grace and tact and foresight throughout this freakshow that you deserve a gold star (and an Unsung Hero award, IMHO); your level of logic and the guts with which you so willingly faced off against those hyenas is really astounding and commendable for a young senator; stay on the light side. (Continued…)
Moberg
posted 4/03/08 @ 11:17 AM EST
To "Disappointed" and "Darksider:"
Get some fucking balls and post under your real names. I'm so sick of reading all these gusto-filled tirades that reek of self-importance and bravado. (Continued…)
Matthew Soleyn
posted 4/03/08 @ 2:05 PM EST
I agree with Moberg. I actually post here under my real name and can be held accountable by the community for my comments.
Though, I guess maybe when your comments are ignorant and ill-informed, you don't want your constituents to know how incompetent you really are. (Continued…)
Post a Comment