2008 Woodie Awards
SGA 'beyond shambles;' Oberg resigns
SGA parliamentarian resigns after tumultuous rules meeting
Anne Baker and Derek Hawkins
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
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"It has come to my attention that I can no longer reconcile my personal feelings with the actions of my committee," he said of the Rules Committee, which he chaired, in an e-mail obtained by The News. "With this in mind, I offer my resignation from the Senate, effective immediately."
Oberg resigned from his position following a contentious Rules Committee meeting, according to sources who spoke to Oberg about the issue after he resigned. Oberg came into the SGA office in the third floor of the Curry Student Center visibly upset and said he needed to speak to SGA President Joey Fiore, several sources who were present said.
Then Oberg left the office to speak to Fiore on his cell phone, and when he returned, he told the people in the office that he had resigned from his position as parliamentarian.
Oberg could not be reached for comment.
"We're not in shambles. We're beyond shambles," said senator Derek Miller of Oberg's resignation in an interview with The News.
Miller, SGA presidential candidate Rob Ranley and assistant vice president for administration and public relations Emma Brancaccio were present when Oberg returned from the meeting.
"Grant seemed really torn up," said Ranley, who currently serves as vice president for financial affairs.
Aside from his e-mail, which was addressed to Fiore and sent to the SGA executive board after midnight this morning, the reasons for Oberg's resignation remain unclear.
Matt Soleyn, a member of the Rules Committee, speculated that a "high level of stress" at the meeting accounted for Oberg's abrupt decision.
During the meeting, Oberg asked the Rules Committee to reconsider sanctions against Ranley, barring him from campaigning in residence halls.
Despite Oberg's requests, the Rules Committee voted to uphold the sanctions.
"He spoke, saying that he felt the committee made a mistake, that the committee had abused its power," Soleyn said, adding, "I don't think he agrees with the sanctions. Because he doesn't agree with it, he wouldn't be able to serve as an impartial chair anymore."
Fiore said he had not yet entertained a discussion on Oberg's role as Rules Committee chair.
"I have not looked at any resignation," he said. "I have refused to. I was very clear with Grant that we need to talk about this [Monday]. I understand that he was under a lot of stress [last night] and I want him to be able to consider things before we move forward in this election process."
Ashley Benjamin, SGA vice president for administration and public relations, will temporarily serve as Chair of the Rules Committee because of SGA procedures.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
Derek Miller
posted 4/07/08 @ 6:54 AM EST
Nice job quoting the only negative thing I said in that entire interview- and I said it in jest. When the NU News reports it, everything in SGA is always a "crisis" of monumental "shockwave" proportions. (Continued…)
W
posted 4/07/08 @ 9:11 AM EST
It seems like everyone is just caught up fighting little battles over nothing. I implore the candidates, their campaigns, and the Rules Committee not to lose sight of the big picture: a robust, campus-wide election. (Continued…)
Sarah
posted 4/07/08 @ 10:07 AM EST
Do you even know what investigative journalism is? The NU News seems to have a profound fascination with SGA, unlike most at the university. All this recent brouhaha falls short of "breaking" or hard news. (Continued…)
A NU Alum
posted 4/07/08 @ 10:18 AM EST
I whole heartedly agree with Sarah. The news reported should be the information and activities which have the biggest impact on Northeastern STUDENTS. (Continued…)
T
posted 4/07/08 @ 10:28 AM EST
i don't get my way so i quit, waaaaaa.
Matthew Soleyn
posted 4/07/08 @ 12:31 PM EST
The Student Government Association elections will affect the entire student body. This is big news, and this is the type of thing that belongs on the front page. (Continued…)
Matthew Soleyn
posted 4/07/08 @ 12:36 PM EST
Whoever this "T" guy is -- he is clearly not using his real name so that people won't see how idiotic he is -- needs to show some respect.
katie
posted 4/07/08 @ 2:17 PM EST
matthew, respect should only be shown to those who deserve it, and sga could not be less deserving. and i couldn't agree more with sarah. very few northeastern students care about sga, even less care about their rules committee. (Continued…)
John S
posted 4/07/08 @ 5:49 PM EST
I'm a staff person on campus and don't normally weigh in on these discussions. Actually, I don't often get a chance to read them. However, as a former student body president (of another institution) and someone who has visited and consulted to hundreds of campuses, I thought I'd offer a few thoughts. (Continued…)
Ellen
posted 4/07/08 @ 6:27 PM EST
Maybe instead of complaining about all these things and what a crappy job the current SGA is doing, some of you should run for office.
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