Ohio University Student Senate’s Committee on Conduct and Discipline received student feedback Tuesday, though it was not necessarily what Senate President Nick Southall had in mind.
Bri Adamson, a senior studying public health and advocacy, voiced her concerns of Southall’s conduct, citing an incident on social media as an example of unprofessional behavior and requesting that the committee investigate.
Adamson submitted a letter to the committee via Vice President Anna Morton. A senate member is needed to formally submit a request for review.
“I don’t think our elected officials should be able to get away with inappropriate behavior,” Adamson said.
Southall had not seen the formal submission as of Tuesday afternoon.
“As president I am going to continue to work on the initiatives I have set out (to do),” he said. “What happens will happen and the truth will prevail.”
Morton welcomed the student input.
“Voice what you feel,” Morton said. “If you don’t think you’re being represented well then I am happy that you are able to say that.”
The committee has five business days to meet to discuss the submission.
Some senate members have also questioned Southall’s ability to lead the body.
“He hasn’t lived up to anything,” Morton said. “I feel like with this role you have like a week learning curve … but he didn’t fill those shoes in the appropriate time when he should have.”
This is the first external submission made questioning Southall’s actions as president, but it’s unclear whether it’s the only formal complaint against him because internal submissions to the committee are private.
“Ultimately, I would like to move forward as a body. I think this submission may not be the last,” said Austin LaForest, senate treasurer. “If the body decides to move forward without (Southall), then that is what I am willing to do.”
Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi, who is also senate’s adviser, encouraged professionalism during the investigation, but didn’t want to comment on the case specifically.
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