Two former student government leaders recently removed from office outlined their plans and hopes for the appeals process during a press conference Tuesday night.
The conference was a reaction to the Associated Students of Madison Student Judiciary’s decision to remove Student Council Vice Chair Beth Huang and Nominations Board Chair Niko Magallon from office on Sept. 21.
Both dismissals stem from the time community service hours were turned into SJ on Sept. 15, which was judged as leaving inadequate amount for SJ to verify the forms.
The hours were required after Huang and Magallon violated ASM bylaws by canvassing on university housing grounds, which is strictly prohibited, during the spring 2011 election season.
Huang added she fully complied with the remedies and timeline outlined and believes the Student Judiciary should, and will, reinstate her.
Huang expressed concern over her time as vice chair being characterized by her removal, despite the work she has already done and plans on continuing.
This includes efforts against the Voter ID law she made last year as and the legislation she sponsored this year, including her stance against a Senate bill prohibiting ordinances placed on landlords.
“I’m rather saddened that my tenure as vice chair has been defined by my removal,” Huang said.
Huang stated she brought a unique progressive perspective to ASM and sponsored a lot of legislation.
Magallon said he also complied with the rulings on his community service.
“In regards to my refusal of stay, to put it succinctly and accurately, I complied with the orders of Student Judiciary by the simple fact that my supervisors of my community service turned in my hours on the stated day: Sept. 15,” he said.
A College of Letters & Science representative and Nominations Board Chair, Magallon has advocated for multicultural competency throughout his stay on ASM.
Magallon is also member of Promoting Racial Equity and Awareness and UW Model UN.
“As board chair, I have carefully selected on behalf of my committee student leaders who share a vision for empowering all students, including students of color and other underrepresented students on campus,” Magallon said.
Should neither be reinstated, both Huang and Magallon said they would continue their work with ASM.
Huang and Magallon’s next step is completing briefs outlining their cases.
They both also said they were confident in the representatives helping to fill in during their absence from council.
The appeal of the SJ ruling is scheduled for Oct. 4. Huang and Magallon’s appellate briefs describing their cases, are due Friday by noon.
