News
Chief justice approved amid controversial statements
The Pointer
jglod170@uwsp.edu
The judicial branch of the Student Government Association normally doesn’t get the spotlight, that is, until the SGA Senate meeting of November 20. On this night, Arturo Vigueras came up for approval to become the chief justice of the judicial branch, and despite having few questions for him during question time, many controversial remarks flooded the deliberations. In fact, many comments were held off from being said until deliberations, when Vigueras would not be in the room to hear or defend himself.
“We’ve had several conversations that I will delight you in, more so during deliberations,” said SGA President Katie Kloth at the meeting before the Senate was open to deliberations on Vigueras.
The judicial branch is there when things go wrong, to provide for a fair hearing and decisions for students on matters related to student organizations pertaining to constitutions, bylaws, regulations, rules and code of conduct-appellate review. Most of its cases are, in fact, brought against SGA itself.
It is the president’s responsibility to appoint students to justice positions including the chief justice, yet Kloth spoke adamantly against Vigueras during deliberations, bringing up past incidents.
“I’ve been really hung up on this one all year,” said Kloth. “And I am just going to be really frank with you; it would be really irresponsible of me to tell you that I think he is a good candidate, ‘cause I don’t. Just a couple of examples, you should know this and you have the right to know; he has been on SGA executive staff before and he was fired, last year he was almost impeached from the judicial branch, and I just want you to know …”
It was at this time that Kloth was called out of order by Vice President Wardle.
Students questioned these statements as Kloth herself had been fired from the SGA executive branch in her past and that Vigueras was never convicted in the impeachment hearings last year. Some student senators responded by moving to approve Vigueras, speaking out in favor of his approval despite past differences.
“I know that I personally have not had the rosiest relationships with Arturo in the past,” said Senator Andrew Letson. “I made this motion and I am going to vote for him because there is nobody else on this campus who is more qualified. He has been on the judicial branch longer than anyone else, knows the constitution well, and I think would be a good asset.”
“I personally will be voting for him because I think he is very qualified, and quite frankly if you are going to vote against him, I suggest you put forth the recommendation of who you want in the position, because we cannot go on without somebody in this position,” said Speaker of the Senate Zach Vruwink.
Vigueras has been in SGA for over five years, serving as multicultural issues director, senator, associate justice and vice chief justice. The chief justice position is considered the spokesperson of the court and makes sure their meetings run smoothly and efficiently.
“Just personally, I don’t think he is a good fit. I don’t think he has the best idea of what being impartial is,” said Kloth. “And you’re the voting body, so I’m leaving it up to you, that’s what I think, and I think its time to decide.”
The Senate approved Vigueras as Chief Justice with a majority vote of 7-2-2 after the lengthy discussion.
