The Political Science Association meeting on Monday Oct. 13 made plans for an open forum and debate regarding Student Government Assembly President Felicia Woodson’s actions at a press conference before David Horowitz’s recent speech at Metro.

“If (Woodson) is willing to debate, we’ll sponsor it,” said PSA secretary Spencer Curtis, who was acting as president for the meeting.

Woodson herself first presented the idea. She asked if the PSA would sponsor a question and answer period that all students could attend and voice their concerns and opinions on her actions. Questions would pertain to Woodson’s use of her title in the press conference held outside the Tivoli on Sept. 30.

“I just think it’s important to have everyone’s point of view,” said Woodson.

Further discussion on whether or not to have the open forum led to the idea of a debate. Members of PSA were concerned that if the forum were limited to question and answer, only one side of the story would be presented, and it would be Woodson’s.

While all members present at the meeting agreed that it would be productive, some voiced concerns that maybe this would reflect certain individuals’ goals rather than the goal of the PSA, and stressed the need to just “get beyond this.”

“I think it was a brilliant move on Felicia’s part,” said SGA Attorney General Rustin Tonn.
The PSA members were in agreement that a debate was a better way to handle the situation than a mere question and answer session.

“People can at least go away saying ‘that was fair,’” said PSA member Marissa Osborne.Certain members were also concerned that no members of the PSA should take sides on the matter. Some members had concerns as to whether or not they wanted to put PSA’s name on such an event. Others voiced the opinion that PSA’s goal in the debate should be to “sponsor an exchange of information” in order to alert all students to what is really going on and to get them more involved.

After deliberation, the PSA decided that no decisions would be made on the issue until all members were present. However, Woodson will be presented with the idea that the forum should be a debate to show all sides of the issue. PSA also agreed that the issue would not be integrated with a debate on the Academic Bill of Rights.

“I’m all for discussion, but then these are two different issues,” said PSA member Erik Wiesner.

Woodson, who was unable to stay for the duration of the meeting, still defends her actions at the press conference, saying that she did not know that she would be introduced as SGA president. Woodson said that she referred to her title in her speech because she wanted to make it very clear that she was acting as a “woman, a person, and as an adult.”“I’m more than a title,” said Woodson.

While plans for the open debate are still in the works, Auraria College Republicans Chairman George Culpepper said that the ACR is still proceeding with plans to go through student court to remove Woodson from office.