Hearings regarding ASUWT likely not to occur

A hearing regarding the Executive Board violations is likely not to happen, according to Chief Justice William Diamond.

The hearing would have addressed accusations that President Cruz Credle and Vice President and President-elect Rai Nauman Mumtaz had violated bylaws, the constitution, and the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act.

The charges regard multiple errors in procedure that occurred over the course of the year, including that the ASUWT budget was not approved by the senate before being submitted to the Student Activities Fees Committee, as stipulated by the ASUWT Constitution. In addition, the senate previously passed a bill delegating authority to approve the Elections Calendar to the President, Vice President, and Elections Administration Chair, though the ASUWT bylaws state the calendar must be approved by the senate.

Allegations were also made that a decision regarding ASUWT printing procedures was made at staff meetings rather than in public meetings, which could conflict with the Washington Open Public Meetings Act. The act states, "No governing body of a public agency shall adopt any ordinance, resolution, order, or directive except in a meeting open to the public."

Initially, the Judicial Board hoped to have a hearing as early as May 28.

Although the Judicial Board determined merit on all the charges, several factors prevented a hearing from being scheduled. Documents regarding the case requested by former Legislative Liaison Tommy Bauer, who filed the complaint with the Judicial Board, will not be available until later this month.

While Bauer has said he does not need those documents to make his case, the senate also requested revisions to the Judicial Board's bylaws, which would then have to be approved by the senate in a special session. This would also put current members of ASUWT in the position of approving sanctions that might then be used against members of the Executive Board.

As of press time, Diamond did plan to request a special senate meeting this Thursday (June 10) to approve the bylaws and push for a hearing late this week. However, he referred to both of these acts as "midnight hour" efforts, especially since Fri., June 4 was the last day student government members were paid.

June 11 is the last day in office for ASUWT members. Potential consequences, should there be a hearing, range from a warning to impeachment.