From the Rocky Mountain Collegian (Fort Collins): Wednesday night the Associated Students of Colorado State University impeached Sen. Kwon Yearby during a meeting closed to the public, media and, for most of the proceedings, Yearby himself.
In order to impeach a senator, a two-thirds vote is needed. Senate voted 18 to 5 to impeach, on the grounds that Yearby had violated Amendment 3 of the ASCSU Bill of Rights.
Amendment 3 of the ASCSU Bill of Rights states: “Every Colorado State University student has the right to be recognized as a community, state, and national and an international citizen; the right to be treated with respect and professionalism by all administrators, faculty, staff and fellow students; the right to freedom from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veterans status, political beliefs, handicap, creed, genetic information, or sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.”
“I’m very disappointed in this organization,” Yearby said. “This whole process has been unethical. Seven people can say whatever they want and that’s put against one person’s word.”
When Senate moved to an executive session, members Collegian staff refused to leave Senate chambers because they believed ASCSU to be in violation of the Colorado Sunshine Law.
According to the Colorado Sunshine Law, “All meetings of a governmental body must be open and it applies to all boards, committees, commissions, authorities and other advisory, policy-making, rule-making or other formally constituted bodies, as well as any public or private entities that have been delegated governmental decision-making functions.”
ASCSU Vice President Lance LiPuma stated that the Sunshine Law does not apply to ASCSU. However, according to Yearby, ASCSU had recently began approving meeting minutes to comply with Colorado Sunshine Law in an attempt to be more transparent.
“I operated the session to the best of my knowledge,” LiPuma said.
Collegian reporters and staff quoted the law in an attempt to remain in Senate chambers during the proceedings. A 15-minute recess was called to discuss the legality of calling an executive session for the impeachment.
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