SGA plays the quitting game

Member resigns, changes mind, seeks reinstatement

By Perry Swanson
The Metropolitan

Three representatives on Metroâs Student Government Assembly quit last week, and one was reinstated to the job she left only a week before.

Two of the rapid-fire resignations opened a debate over how to replace members who resign, as seven of the 12 representatives have done since April. At issue is whether members are allowed to rescind resignations and take back their jobs, which pay $500 per month.

It started with Jane Duncan, one of two Metro representatives on the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board. She quit Jan. 22 and wouldnât say why.

On Jan. 29, however, the assembly gave Duncan her job back. Duncan then admitted she quit because she wasnât eligible for the job for part of last semester.

The SGA constitution requires members to ãenroll and complete at least six credit hours during spring and fall semesters while in office.ä Duncan said she dropped a class during fall semester, putting her credit load below the requirement. Duncan said sheâs in enough classes this semester to be eligible.
 

But Duncanâs appointment played a part in the resignation of another member who now wants to come back.
Jessie Bullock, assembly vice president of Student Fees, argued at the Jan. 29 meeting that giving Duncan her job back might violate the groupâs constitution.

Assembly President Karmin Trujillo and other members said it was too late in the school year to hire someone lacking Duncanâs experience with SACAB.

Bullock disagreed and said the members were letting their friendship with Duncan impede ethical decisions.
ãWe need to abide by our constitution, otherwise weâre not serving our students,ä she said. ãThis is totally creating a curve around what happened.ä

But when she received no support from others on the assembly, Bullock became irate.

ãThis is such a joke,ä she said. ãI should write my resignation right now.ä
Bullock then stood up and announced, ãI resign. Official.ä

She submitted a letter of resignation, cleaned out her desk and returned her office key to Student Activities by the end of the day. Four days later she said she wanted her job back.

ãI thought more about the situation and the consequences of what I did, and I think what was the biggest priority to me was continuing (to represent the students),ä Bullock said. ãI really want the position back. I want to be back in there doing my work.ä

It might not be that easy. The assembly could vote at a meeting Feb. 5 to let Bullock back in, or they could decide to interview other students for the position. If the assembly decides to look at other candidates, Bullock said she wonât apply.

The assembly filled another vacancy at its Jan. 29 meeting. It appointed Janet Damon, a Metro history major, to replace Teresa Harper as vice president of Diversity.

Harper said last month that she would resign when the group appointed her replacement. She wanted more time to work as a student teacher at Overland High School in Aurora.

The third resignation came Jan. 29 when Sean Brailey, vice president of Administration and Finance, quit. Brailey didnât return phone calls from The Metropolitan, but Trujillo said he resigned because of Metroâs complicated bureaucracy and philosophical differences with the rest of the group.

ãSeanâs more revolutionary (than) the rest of the group,ä Trujillo said.