Although it started out as a joke for me to start a blog publicizing the inner "drama" that goes on in S.G.A., several people agreed that an unaffiliated third party watchdog could only benefit the student body. So I'm writing to everyone not only as a former S.G.A. senator, but as a concerned Stetson student who believes that our Student Government has lost its way over the past year. I see no reason to be anonymous like Deep Throat, although I do respect him/her for speaking out at the beginning of the semester.
With that being said, let me point out how utterly disgusted I am with last week's session. I had expected that with the installation of the new executive branch, Senate could move past the corruption and turmoil that disrupted the election, forced many to lose faith in the organization, and effectively pushed S.G.A. away from its core values and purpose last year. However, that does not seem to be the case. I would of hoped that some of the more senior senators would of set a better example for the newer members of how to properly "uphold and embody the ideas and opinions of the student body" instead of showing how impious Senate can be.
Senate failed to vote in a senior senator who was more than qualified based on false accusations from someone whose evidence we are supposed to believe through "his honor" only. Senator St. Clare chaired Academic Affairs committee, Adhoc committee for Constitutional Reform, served on several other committees and adhoc committees, served as president pro temp, and was even interim for parliamentarian. His nomination for parliamentarian was endorsed by Parliamentarian Emeritus Carrabba who "believes nobody else has the necessary expertise for this position." I find it incredulous that Warn would try to slander St. Clare's character founded on claims from what seems to me to be a personal vendetta. It should be known that Warn applied for the exact same position and was denied by the Executive Branch. It is such an unjustifiable claim on someone such as Kameron who has done nothing but try to promote and further the productivity of S.G.A..
Senator Warn accused Senator St. Clare of racism and violating the student Bill of Rights (which, by the way, is archived under failed legislation) by yet seems to not have read the Bill of Rights too thoroughly himself. Section XI of the enumerated rights of students reads that "Every student shall have the right to be treated with respect, dignity, and care by all members of the Stetson community and each student shall also carry within them the obligation to reciprocate such treatment to all members of the Stetson community." St. Clare was not given this right. I find it hard to think of someone like Senator Warn who is so morally corrupt as a leader.
I only hope that our Senate will realize it's mistake and from this point on try to forge a pathway toward legitimacy. And to take a quote from Deep Throat's e-mail from earlier in the semester that all senators should take to heart: "WE hold the real power of the Senate. We, the members who sit in the seats and hold voting power control what happens and how it happens. Think about the arguments presented within, both sides, and decide for yourself how you feel."
I welcome any feedback, good or bad! Everyone at Stetson has a say.
