From the Rocky Mountain Collegian (Fort Collins):  Colorado State officials have confirmed they do not consider the Associated Students of Colorado State University to be a governing body.

That seems to be the takeaway after the events of Wednesday night, in which the ASCSU Senate impeached former Sen. Kwon Yearby in a closed hearing. ASCSU conducted the hearing in executive session upon receiving advice from CSU General Counsel that Colorado Open Meeting Law does not apply to them. Colorado Open Meeting Law dictates that all governing bodies must conduct their meetings in public.

“I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t be considered a governmental body,” said Adam Goldstein, attorney advocate from the Student Press Law Center. “It just sounds like they just broke the law.”

When he called the meeting into executive session, Vice President of ASCSU Lance LiPuma maintained that Colorado Open Meeting Law does not apply to ASCSU. CSU executive director of public affairs and communications Mike Hooker agrees.

“It is not a state or a local public body,” Hooker said.

Colorado Open Meetings Law covers “any public or private entities that have been delegated governmental decision-making functions by a body or official.” ASCSU is delegated its authority by the CSU Board of Governors, a body which is considered a state public body.

Visit the Rocky Mountain Collegian for more.