After a healthy debate last night, the Student Association Assembly confirmed, 33-8, SA President Christian Oliver's appointments to the SA Senate, which were postponed last week due to concerns over fair representation for UB students and Oliver's influence over future senators.
The SA Assembly also created a committee to examine the SA constitution and possibly suggest an amendment that would modify the power of appointment given to the SA president, who currently has the responsibility of replacing senators in the event of vacancies.
Controversy first arose when Michael Goggin and Adam Baviford, who were elected to the Senate in September's open elections, voluntarily resigned at Oliver's request due to a perceived conflict of interest.
Since Oliver had previously appointed Goggin and Baviford to paying jobs within SA, the Student Wide Judiciary issued a non-binding decision stating the president was in a position to influence the two senators.
"The court found that anyone within the executive branch that was appointed by the president for employment would present a conflict of interest if they were also a member of the Senate," Oliver said.
Most of the debate centered on the appointment of Haynes instead of Stefanie A. Pirwitz, who, along with Haney, was a top runner-up in the September election. Pirwitz received over 100 more votes than Haynes in the September election.
"I do not feel that the voice of the students was accurately represented," Pirwitz said. "I believe that this will escalate voter apathy in future elections, because students will see that they voted for one person, and yet another was selected."
"The students didn't feel that Greg Haynes would do the best job," said assemblywoman Victoria Boone. "We are here to represent the students, and that's what Chris Oliver should be doing,"
Oliver disagreed with Boone's call for the appointment of the highest vote getters.
"My inclination was to look to the SA constitution - it explicitly states that the power to appoint senators rest with the president," said Oliver. "It does not say that the appointments have to go to the two highest vote getters. I feel that it is my responsibility to appoint the best candidate."
Assemblywoman Jennifer Tuttle urged the Assembly to reject the approval of Haynes, saying that since the initial resignations were based on concerns over Oliver's influence over senators, he should not have control over the new appointments.
"The selection of the new senators should reflect the interests of the students and not anyone else," Tuttle said.
Oliver said his decision was not motivated by personal interest and that he was "just doing my job." However, Oliver said he does not blame the Assembly for concern over his appointments.
"This is exactly what the Assembly is here for," Oliver said. "I'm glad they take an interest in it."
Oliver proceeded to outline Haynes' merits.
"Greg has lots of experience in the SA government, he is very dedicated, and he had a 100 percent attendance rate last year," said Oliver. "He has a track record of voting for what he believes is right."
Oliver wanted to assure the Assembly that he would not be able to influence Haynes in the future as a result of the appointment.
"I did not select Greg Haynes because he is a Chris Oliver 'yes-man.' In fact, there's probably no bigger Chris Oliver 'no-man' around," he said. "My motivation for his selection was based only on merit."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
