Members of every branch of the SGA were present Monday night at the 32nd student senate’s final meeting. They said their goodbyes, made announcements, addressed concerns and commended each other on accomplishments made throughout the year.
Chief Justice Jamila Abston addressed the senate on behalf of the judicial branch.
Abston delivered what she called “words of wisdom,” emphasizing the importance of judgment, desperation, justice and character.
Abston declined, however, to make any comments regarding the SGA presidential/vice presidential election saying that she had “no concrete knowledge and only hearsay.”
In a recent ruling, the student supreme court upheld the disqualification of president and vice presidential candidates Larry O. Rivers and Virgil Miller. Travis A. Williams and Aziza Bowser were certified as the 2003-2004 SGA president and vice president on Thursday.
Rivers and Miller are in the process of filing an appeal to the decision, but were not present at the meeting for comment.
“There’s been so much hearsay going on, I’m just not going to speak on it,” Abston said.
Solicitor general Veronica Gray, however, did speak on the ruling. She insisted that there are no grounds on which an appeal may be filed. She encouraged the student body and student government to support its leadership and the court’s decision.
Gray reiterated the fact that Williams and Bowser were certified as the newest student government leaders.
“I told you guys elections would be hell, and they were,” Gray said. “But the student government got through them.”
Community forum was not limited, however, to statements concerning the current electoral situation.
Anthony Glover, president of the FAMU College Republicans, addressed the student senate requesting support during an upcoming meeting regarding Innovation Park. He encouraged the senate leaders to speak at the meeting on behalf of FAMU and the black community in reference to plans for the upcoming park.
“It was designed to bring business to the south side of city,” Glover said. He emphasized that without an opposing voice, officials at Florida State could use the park as a way to expand their university.
Senator emeritus John Michael Lee opened his address to the senate with a disclaimer. “I’m probably going to say the most controversial stuff because that’s just me,” Lee said.
Commenting on topics from the election codes to the recent election, appeals and campaign teams, Lee seemed to offend a few senators in attendance. He said the focus of the elections should be placed not on the individuals but on the university.
“I don’t care about the candidates,” Lee said. “You are nothing but temporary holders of permanent positions.”
Elizabeth M. Broadway can be reached at thefamuaneditor@hotmail.com.