Acorn

Student Government Association President junior Matt Troy was impeached and removed from office early Monday morning by a 14-7 vote from the Senate.  After a 7-hour impeachment hearing, motioned by University Senator senior Jen Hudon, the majority of senators found Troy in violation of three constitutional articles.

This is the first SGA president removal in Drew history, according to Attorney General Andrew Cronholm.

Between 12:29 and 1:09 a.m., senators voted on the three charges then voted on a punishment -- removing him from his seat, said Cronholm, a junior.

By a 15-6 vote, the Senate found Troy in violation of Article 5 Section 6 of the SGA constitution, Cronholm said. According to the constitution, upon the vacancy of a senatorial seat, the president must appoint a replacement. Based on SGA attendance records and minutes from prior meetings, Suites Senator sophomore Boris Khovitch and Freshman Class Senator Noemi Kiss were removed for attendance violations. Suites Senator Alison Spanier resigned. After the vacancy of both suite senate seats, the constituents of the residence hall had no formal representation at SGA meetings. Because Troy did not fill three open senate seats, he was found in violation of the constitution.

The Senate also declared Troy in violation of Article 6 Section 3 by a 15-6 vote and Article 6 Section 5 by a 14-7 vote, Cronholm said. The constitution states the executive must consist of the president, vice president, president pro-tempore and the executive council. The council must include an elections chair, among other positions. Sophomore Yasin Abbak said he officially resigned as elections chair on Oct. 9. The cabinet-level position remained unfilled following Abbak's resignation. Other cabinet positions vacant before the impeachment include director of communications and chief of staff. Because of the incomplete executive council, resulting in a partial executive, senators found Troy in violation of both constitutional articles.

During deliberations, the mood of the room was tense, Cronholm said. "[But] senators did what they had to do," he said.

After the Senate declared Troy in violation of all three charges, Cronholm said, they voted on Troy's punishment. "Proposed to the Senate was either the option of removal from office or censure, which is a formal chastising [of Troy] by the Senate," Cronholm said. The verdict was announced in executive session-behind closed doors-at about 1:09 a.m. "The Senate decided [on the option of] removal from office," Cronholm said.

According to the constitution, former Vice President sophomore Dara Goldberg is now president. Troy can appeal his impeachment to the Student Conduct Board within 48 hours of receiving his violations notice last night, Cronholm said. Before SCB hears the appeal, Cronholm said, one of the deans would determine its validity. "An appeal is valid under two conditions," Cronholm said. "If there was a procedural error [during the hearing] or if new and relevant information comes up." Cronholm added if an appeal hearing arose, it would be out of his jurisdiction and out of the SGA's hands. The SCB would adopt its hearing procedures, he said.

The Senate went into executive session at 6:15 p.m. and conducted the impeachment according to SCB and University rules. As a result, details and evidence are confidential and witness testimonies and materials destroyed, Cronholm said.

"The SGA constitution by-laws are very vague when it comes to handling an impeachment," Cronholm said. "I felt it appropriate to consult Chief Justice Bobbie Downs and the deans, who are statutory advisers."

Downs, a junior, said her role was to make sure the trial was fair. "The SCB is set up to ensure the accused is given due process," Downs said. "[This] means Troy has an adviser, the right to know charges against him, and the right to know it in a fair amount of time."

A dozen Drewids showed up Sunday night to witness the hearing or show support for Troy. "It's pretty obvious [the SGA doesn't] want people to know what's exactly going on," senior Ethan Marsh said. "They know their case would look ridiculous if the student body was aware of the charges." SGA Director of Community Affairs Jeff Javed was also disappointed with the impeachment. Javed, a sophomore, said, "This is a personal biased attack."

Troy was surprised by the entire ordeal. "This has been a very unfortunate and regrettable process and I truly hope that the truth gets out from this destructive and secretive process," Troy said in an e-mail.

Three days before the impeachment hearing, Hudon and Senior Class Senator Tom Cioce met with Troy privately. "We had a petition asking for his resignation with 14 signatures [from senators]-and the constitutional violations attached," Hudon said. Troy was aware of a possible impeachment if he refused to resign, Hudon said.

According to Cioce and Hudon, Troy seemed to brushed off the warning, Cioce said. Troy told him he would not resign and asked the senators to impeach him. Right after that meeting, he told The Acorn that he felt the issue would "blow over."

"[The impeachment] was a last resort. We explored all other avenues-private meetings, informal conversations, e-mails," Cioce said. "We hoped for him to step down."

Goldberg also met privately with Troy numerous times this semester to discuss her concerns over the organization, she said.

"I don't think anyone is happy or sad about the impeachment. It's not a pleasant situation for anyone," Goldberg said. "But I'm very proud we have a Senate that is dedicated and patient-and made a decision they felt was best for the SGA and student body."

Today at 7:00 a.m., the SGA held a special session to fill all cabinet and senate vacancies. Goldberg appointed senior Tom Gilchrist as interim vice president. After a new presidential election occurs, Goldberg and Gilchrist will step down. 

Editor in Chief Meghan Van Dyk contributed to this article.

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