Sudden decision causes controversy within SGA

Slippery Rock University Student Government Association (SGA) President Jordan Bailley made an executive decision on Friday, Oct. 7 to disband the original homecoming court and allow all 37 applicants the chance to campaign and be included on the ballot.

Bailley announced at the senate meeting Thursday, Oct. 13 that he had formed an ad hoc committee to investigate the constitutionality of his decision.

SGA Parliamentarian Zachariah Dornisch and Commuter Senator Corey Street will chair the committee. Bailley will not be involved with the committee.

Bailley appointed Dornisch as parliamentarian at the senate meeting Oct. 13.

"Being appointed and sworn into the position of parliamentarian during the same meeting in which the homecoming decision was being discussed was stressful," Dornisch said.

SGA's executive board is currently working to appoint the members of the committee to review the homecoming decision, which will most likely consist of members of the student body and faculty, according to Dornisch.

"[Street] and I have met to discuss the committee and will be meeting later this week to further discuss the committee and work on setting an agenda," Dornisch said.

Article II, section six of SGA's constitution found at srusga.com states "the senate shall have final decision making authority for the SRUSGA unless otherwise stipulated herein."

According to Jim Henry, vice president of student affairs, this means the senate would've had to pass Bailley's decision by a two-thirds vote.

"There's nothing in the constitution outside of that that can change that or make it right for an executive decision to be made by [Bailley]," he said.

Bailley sent out an email to all students on Friday, Oct. 7 detailing his decision to open up the homecoming ballot to the 37 original applicants.

Prior to that decision, Bailley had met Thursday, Oct. 6 with Dr. Constance Foley and Brad Kovaleski, faculty advisors for SGA, Dr. Jessamine Montero, senior officer for diversity and inclusion, and a student who had concerns about the homecoming process.

According to Henry, SGA received several complaints about the process, one of which was a concern about a lack of diversity on the homecoming court.

Bailley said he was asked at the meeting to decide what course of action he wanted to take.

"Dr. Foley asked for a decision, but I chose to decline and reached out to the executive board and senate for their input," Bailley said.

Bailley called a meeting of the SGA executive board on Oct. 6 to get their thoughts on the situation. An informal senate meeting was also held that night to further discuss the concerns.

At the senate meeting Oct. 13, Bailley said the majority of the senate and executive board were against the idea to open up the ballot.

On Friday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m., Bailley revealed his decision to open the homecoming ballot back up to all of the original 37 applicants.

The applicants could then choose to either campaign to make homecoming court, or decline. Twenty applicants chose to run for homecoming, while the other 17 dropped out of the race.

Street, a commuter senator for SGA, was an original member of the homecoming court.

"I disagree with the decision that was made because it was unethical to the original court," Street said during the SGA meeting Oct. 13. "It put all of us who were on court in a bad position and I don't feel that it was appropriate at all."

Bailley said he feels this was the best decision for SGA and the student body as a whole, and said he still feels that way.

"I think I made the best decision for our students," Bailley said. "I knew it would be unpopular and surprising, and knew it would upset many people that I called a friend."

"I didn't go looking for controversy, but I did look for the best decision knowing it wouldn't be perfect," he said. "I am sorry it upset many people and caused some undesirable stress, but I stand behind my decision."