Sen. Jessica Roy was voted out of her position as chair of the Violations Inquiry Committee (VIC) and thus out of her position as Senate parliamentarian by the 31st Student Senate Friday. Two-thirds of the present members voted her out of her position through a secret ballot. During the Senate meeting Friday, Sen. Ezekiel Kimball read a prepared letter which claimed recent disruptions and violations by Roy. The letter asked for the removal of Roy as chair of the VIC.
Vice Chair Tyler Stanley later received a vote of no-confidence with four votes of confidence, six votes of no-confidence, and three abstentions. The vote of no-confidence was surprising since most of the Senators had positive remarks for him during the four and a half hour meeting. A vote of no-confidence has no repercussions other than Stanley knowing the body of the Senate is not behind him.
While some members were shocked at the motion against Roy, others were in agreement. The motion was brought to the Senate by Kimball, Sen. Shaun Quinn and Sen. Joshua Dolby.
Quinn believed Roy had not held up her duties because of her lack of knowledge of Roberts Rules of Order, the rules of parliamentary procedure. The job of parliamentarian is to keep the Senate in line with Roberts Rules. Quinn stated Roy was in violation of those rules by constantly interrupting members when they had the floor. Roberts Rules states the parliamentarian is allowed to interrupt only if a Senator is in violation.
“This is a question of professionalism and honesty,” said Quinn. He noted the parliamentarian was partisan in her job and often would not listen to a side she didn’t like.
Kimball said, “The parliamentarian is the most partisan of the assembly.” Kimball stated the job of the parliamentarian is to ensure the rights of the assembly by using Roberts Rules. Kimball said Roy constantly infringed on that right by cutting off debate of her fellow assemblymen.
“It’s a maturity issue. She brings her personality into her job,” said Quinn. “She makes everything personal.” Quinn said he had been brushed out of her office, and Roy often kept secrets from him and other members of the Senate.
“She needs to be held accountable to students,” said Quinn, noting the Senate should not operate behind closed doors.
Sen. Dorn McMahon was unaware the motion would be brought up, but she still agreed with removing Roy. “It’s a step in the direction of team building,” said McMahon. “It was strictly professional. This will add to the integrity of the Senate, not the underhandedness.”
During the meeting, Roy pleaded for her job through tears. “This is a complete attack on me,” Roy said. She added that she was being used as a guinea pig since the Senate is only able to kick out the parliamentarian and not any other members of the executive board.
“I only do things that are fair,” said Roy of her job performance. Other Senators accused Roy of being partisan. Roy responded, “I at least match the impartiality of the chair [Sen. Leah Wentworth].”
“Everyone brought up my attitude, but there was little about my job performance,” Roy said.
Roy believes if absent senators Anthony Pergola and Mike Norton were in attendance, she would still have her seat as parliamentarian.
Dolby said the Senate is cut into factions. “The senate is split in its vision. There are those that come on Fridays and want to bullshit and others that want to do something,” said Dolby.
“The Senate needs to rise to a new level of professionalism and appearance,” Dolby said. He added that in meetings he “caught attitude” from Roy.
While Roy is no longer the parliamentarian, she still holds a seat on the Senate. Roy hopes to continue to bring more student involvement throughout USM.
Executive Editor Elise Adams contributed to this report.
Nicolette Harding can be contacted at [email protected]