Spring Break
Goldman steps down as Union Secretary
by Claire Moses
News | 11/6/07
Posted online at 9:32 PM EST on 11/5/07
/ Last updated at 6:44 PM EST on 11/5/07
Michael Goldman '08 resigned from his position as Student Union Secretary last Thursday, primarily because of what he described as ongoing abuse of executive power by Union President Shreeya Sinha '09.
Elections for a new secretary will be held within 15 academic days, Sinha said.
Goldman's resignation follows a month-long controversy over his admitting to releasing vote tallies to candidates during election periods this fall and last spring. His actions were debated in a seven-hour closed session Sept. 23, and the senate unanimously censured Goldman and removed his ability to view the elections software after an unofficial, nonbinding straw poll to decide whether to hold an impeachment vote failed by one vote.
In an ensuing Union Judiciary case, the court ruled that Goldman's actions were unconstitutional because he breached implied constitutional standards of fairness. The UJ ruled to dissolve the creation of a Technology Assistant to the Secretary position because that is outside the powers of his office. Goldman's appeal of the decision was rejected.
Goldman said that although these events led up to his resignation, the way Sinha has controlled the Executive Board and enlarged the power of her office were his main motivations for leaving the Union. "[The elections controversy] bears on my resignation, only in that it's another example of how this e-board operates," Goldman said.
Sinha responded, "I don't agree with [Goldman's] comments. I wish him the best of luck in the future."
Goldman said Sinha's squashing of a debate about the position of Racial Minority Senator at last Wednesday's e-board meeting was the immediate cause for his resignation. While Goldman said this position is unconstitutional and shouldn't exist and tried to address this issue, he explained Sinha simply said the situation wouldn't be changed.
Goldman also cited the Union's selection process for members of University President Jehuda Reinharz's new student firearms advisory committee as a reason for his resignation. While the senate originally intended to appoint two students to the positions, Goldman said Sinha decided to take one of the positions herself.
Elections for a new secretary will be held within 15 academic days, Sinha said.
Goldman's resignation follows a month-long controversy over his admitting to releasing vote tallies to candidates during election periods this fall and last spring. His actions were debated in a seven-hour closed session Sept. 23, and the senate unanimously censured Goldman and removed his ability to view the elections software after an unofficial, nonbinding straw poll to decide whether to hold an impeachment vote failed by one vote.
In an ensuing Union Judiciary case, the court ruled that Goldman's actions were unconstitutional because he breached implied constitutional standards of fairness. The UJ ruled to dissolve the creation of a Technology Assistant to the Secretary position because that is outside the powers of his office. Goldman's appeal of the decision was rejected.
Goldman said that although these events led up to his resignation, the way Sinha has controlled the Executive Board and enlarged the power of her office were his main motivations for leaving the Union. "[The elections controversy] bears on my resignation, only in that it's another example of how this e-board operates," Goldman said.
Sinha responded, "I don't agree with [Goldman's] comments. I wish him the best of luck in the future."
Goldman said Sinha's squashing of a debate about the position of Racial Minority Senator at last Wednesday's e-board meeting was the immediate cause for his resignation. While Goldman said this position is unconstitutional and shouldn't exist and tried to address this issue, he explained Sinha simply said the situation wouldn't be changed.
Goldman also cited the Union's selection process for members of University President Jehuda Reinharz's new student firearms advisory committee as a reason for his resignation. While the senate originally intended to appoint two students to the positions, Goldman said Sinha decided to take one of the positions herself.
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Kamarin Lee
posted 11/06/07 @ 11:07 AM EST
"Lee added that the current e-board, which consists of four elected and six appointed positions, has stripped the senate from its power. "The e-board and the Senate basically have the same job," he said. (Continued…)
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