NEWS
Vogel brings lawsuit against Schlict
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by James Davison
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Former Vice Chief Justice of the Student Judiciary Brad Vogel filed suit against members of Associated Students of Madison Monday for the removal of his position on the judiciary.
The charges were filed against Chief Justice Nathaniel Romano and Nominations Board Chair Adam Schlicht.
“I’m disturbed by this largely political attempt to remove me from the Student Judiciary,” Vogel said in a release. “It is all too typical of ASM as a whole.”
Schlicht said it is not political, but rather an ASM constitutional issue.
“I feel the constitution is our guiding law, and it states that positions are held for two-year terms,” said Schlicht, adding that Vogel was only appointed to fill the remainder of the 9th session term that he started midway.
“I’ve known [Vogel] personally and professionally for over two years,” Schlicht said. “He has been an exceptional justice and I encouraged him to reapply [for his position].”
Vogel said in a phone interview Monday night he does not think his term has expired.
“For some parties, there is some confusion as to when [my term] started,” Vogel said. “I was not appointed to fill out a vacant spot, but to serve a full term.”
Vogel said he decided not to reapply because of political issues that would make it more difficult for him to be selected again.
“I don’t think I would stand much of a chance given the [current] leanings of the student council,” he said.
Although he filed the charges against Romano and Schlicht, Romano “removed himself as a defendant somehow,” Vogel said.
According to an e-mail sent to Vogel by Romano Monday evening, because the “Chief Justice has no authority over this matter, and so as an ‘inappropriate defendant,’ … pursuant to the powers vested in me … I am directing the case defendants-respondents be named as [Schlicht] and Emily McWilliams, Student Council chair.”
Schlicht said Romano was removed from the suit because he has nothing to do with the nominations process of appointing the student judiciary.
Vogel said he wrote an extensive letter to ASM stating why he thought his position has not expired, but it did not help his situation.
“I’ve tried to keep a good relationship [with ASM] over the last year,” Vogel said. “Unfortunately this was pretty much my only way out.”
One of the four spots on the Student Judiciary will remain vacant until the case is resolved, according to Vogel.
Anonymous (September 14, 2004 @ 7:54pm):
Isn't it about time the state legislature disbanded stupid student governments like ASM?
Emily McWilliams, ASM Chair (September 14, 2004 @ 9:13pm):
My goodness, the mass interest generated by these type of intriguing stories must have the Herald going off the shelves like hotcakes! I mean, really, why report on relevent issues like state budget woes, voter turn out, sexual assault or campus climate when we can read about such salacious stories as this one about the student judiciary? I am a dorky student government type, but even I failed to understand how reporting on Mr. Vogel's frustrations could possibly be considered news. Oh yawn.
ASM Insider (September 14, 2004 @ 9:21pm):
ASM maybe stupid to some, but if people aren't getting involved and fixing it from the inside, then I feel that complaints such as the one above is invalid. It's like complaining about the local legislation and not go out to vote. And speaking of legislation, they have nothing to do with the existance of ASM or WSA (predecessor). In regards to Mr. Vogel's case, I am disappointed that he is not going to reapply because he is a person of integrity and most likely is an exceptional contribution to student government. I do wish he would reconsider his decision. However, I do agree that if the constitution states that his term is up, then it's up, no matter how nice or great he is. In regards to Chair McWilliams' comments, ANY and ALL student government's news are appropriate to print and Mr. Vogel is correct to draw attention this matter, especially if there are different interpretations of what the constitution says.
