Shortly after the Pledge of Allegiance segued into the beginning of Thursday night’s Associated Student of Madison meeting, multiple open-forum speakers talked in regard to Student Council Chair Austin Evans’ conduct in Wednesday night’s Student Services Finance Committee meeting during open forum.

When he spoke at the Wednesday meeting, Evans was critical of SSFC by suggesting some decisions lacked legal credibility and also reminded some members of the financial arm that he helped their placement on the committee. Evans preceded his remarks by stating he came as a member of Student Council and as the chair.

Evans later issued an apology to the press and members of SSFC, saying it was improper for him to refer to his involvement in the members’ appointments or elections and it was also wrong not to first address his concerns with the individuals.

In the same apology, he did, however, assert his intense defense of students’ segregated fees and made known his belief that SSFC must take the economy into account in their rulings.

Joe Hiegel was the first to ask for Evans’ resignation from chair, claiming he does not have the “personal professionalism” to be the representative of ASM Student Council.

Rep. Ben Hawke claimed Evans’ actions were inexcusable and no apology could undo the damage already done.

Another concern voiced was that this incident would fuel “rising tensions” between the two branches of student government. One representative who did not call for Evans’ resignation just wanted cooperation, trust and faith so “students know we’re here for them.”

Committee Vice Chair Janell Wise asked for Evans’ resignation, arguing he should be accountable for his actions and should not appear partial in a supposedly impartial setting.

Committee member Peter McCabe also felt Evans should step down because he gave the impression of bias.

Some committee members also claimed Evans threatened them, but after questioning, these members said he could do little to them personally.

Members who spoke against Evans were asked whether Student Council should be the place to bring up a proposed removal and whether Evans’ comments necessarily warranted his stepping down.

In his defense, Evans said he wanted to open a dialogue about taking the economy into account on committee decisions, that his intentions were a result of his defensive stance on segregated fees for services, and that he personally talked to several committee members about the issue.

Evans made no indication of stepping down from his position and still stands by his original intent.

Former committee chair Roman Patzner knew little of the issue at hand but stated that if Evans issued an apology, that was an admission of wrongdoing.

Patzner did say that the chair is a reflection of ASM.

“This is a political issue that ASM has to resolve. [The question] is if ASM wants a chair [who] … acted that way,” Patzner said.