The University of Alabama Student Government Association has removed Executive Vice President Matt Harris from office.
“This decision was made with consideration of the best interest of the SGA as well as the former SGA Executive Vice President,” SGA Executive Press Secretary Meagan Bryant said. “We ask that all please respect his privacy during this time.”
Bryant said in an emailed statement that the SGA followed the removal process outlined in the SGA Constitution and Code of Laws.
Article IX, Section 1, of the Constitution outlines seven grounds for removal from office, which include incompetence in office, willful violation of the Constitution, abandonment of office or change of school, and failure to perform duties of office. Other grounds include failure to maintain the required academic standing.
Article IX also outlines the procedure for removal, which a student can set in motion by filing a petition for impeachment and removal for any elected or appointed SGA member. At least 99 UA students must then sign this petition before it goes before a panel made up of the Attorney General and two Judicial Board members.
This panel would decide whether or not to send the petition for a formal Senate impeachment hearing, and the Constitution requires that the panel make this decision no later than 10 full class days after receiving the petition.
The Senate is then required to consider the petition during three regularly scheduled consecutive Senate sessions. According to the Constitution, these sessions would include the Senate formally hearing the petition’s claims, a presentation of facts and evidence, statements from the accused and filer of the petitions, and a final vote.
At least 30 out of the 50 possible Senate votes are needed to impeach and remove the accused from office.
Bryant said the process outlined in the SGA’s Constitution and Code of Laws will be followed in coming weeks to fill the vacant seat.
According to Article IV, Section 4, of the Constitution, the executive council will nominate a candidate to fill the position, who has to be approved by a majority vote of the Senate.
Section 4 also outlines a four-part procedure to use for appointment. According to the Constitution, applications for the position must be available to all students for 10 full class days before the executive council begins the qualifications review process.
Following the qualifications process, an executive branch official will interview qualified candidates and proceed with a nomination. The nomination must be presented to the Senate for a vote within 10 full class days of the review and interview process.
