The impeachment of student body president Reid Joseph took a new turn this weekend as the involved parties met to discuss ways to move forward, and a member of Texas A&M’s Board of Regents spoke in support of Joseph.
Joseph was impeached Feb. 11 when student senator Cary Cheshire gathered the necessary one-thirds support of Student Senate with 21 student senator signatures. The impeachment was originally based on the allegation that Joseph has not fulfilled his obligations as student body president by failing to file a weekly report of legislation and a monthly financial report, and failing to remain transparent with the student body, student senate and the Board of Regents.
Joseph and Cheshire met to discuss the upcoming trial Saturday evening and came to an agreement over the impeachment proceedings. Both released statements on their discussions and what they mean for Wednesday’s trial, and Cheshire said in an interview that he would no longer be seeking Joseph’s removal from office.
“My goal through the whole process was just to have everything followed and basically have all of the codes followed and all of the actions followed through,” Cheshire said.
Cheshire further said in his statement that his meeting with Joseph cleared up some of the allegations brought to bear.
“During the conversation that followed, I was made aware of some issues of my concern that had indeed been fully complied with,” Cheshire’s statement read. “It was my error to make these accusations … Steps have already been taken, and I have full confidence that SBP Joseph will follow through earnestly and thoroughly.”
In his statement, Joseph said he was informed about the issues from Cheshire on Thursday and agreed that he was at fault in certain accusations.
“I accept full responsibility that some of the bi-weekly executive reports and monthly financial reports were not turned in,” Joseph’s statement read. “As an executive cabinet, we submitted several of these documents; however, we did not submit all of them.”
The senate is still constitutionally obligated to hold the trial, however due to Joseph and Cheshire’s agreement it will be largely a formality.
The impeachment and subsequent allegations against Joseph garnered mixed reactions across campus, and prompted regent Jim Schwertner to contact The Battalion last Thursday to express his support for Joseph.
“I feel compelled to stand up for any student that I believe is wrongly accused of something, I don’t care who it is or what school the system is,” Schwertner said. “[Joseph] communicates with me and some of the other board members from time to time, let’s us know what’s going on and the concerns of the students.”
Schwertner said he knows the allegations brought against Joseph are at least false on the notion that Joseph was accused of not communicating with the regents. Schwertner said the Board did receive a letter about the fee amendment bill, SB 66-11, on time from Joseph and his office sent a copy of acknowledgement to Joseph. He doesn’t understand the allegations made against Joseph for a lack of transparency because Joseph has a website to let students know about legislation.
Schwertner said although it is not normal for a regent to get involved with student politics anywhere in the Texas A&M system, he said he had no choice but to speak up.
“I feel that most of the stuff going on right now is politically motivated and the reason I say that – I find it very suspicious that we have this impeachment hearing the day before the student election,” Schwertner said. “There’s some politics going on here that I don’t understand, but you know, Aggies don’t lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do, and I just don’t feel this is proper.”
Impeachment proceedings began on Feb. 11 when Cheshire gathered 21 student senator signatures for impeachment. Cheshire originally filed a suit in SGA Judicial Court, but decided to drop the suit and begin impeachment proceedings.
The impeachment trial will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday in a closed-door Student Senate meeting.