After only one quarter in office, former ASPSU Vice President Lauren Morency has been deemed academically ineligible by the organization’s Judicial Board. Former President Pro Tempore Ethan Smith has succeeded her, making him ASPSU’s third vice president this school year.
At Tuesday’s Student Senate meeting, J-Board Chair Anandi Hall notified the senators, to their surprise, of Morency’s vacant seat. According to Hall, the J-Board made the decision to remove Morency from office at its meeting last week.
Hall said that Morency is ineligible for the position due to academic reasons, though she could not disclose any details.
In order to be eligible for office, the ASPSU constitution requires that all undergraduate officials maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and be in “good standing,” as defined by the university. In addition, they must complete at least four academic credits each term, excluding credits earned through involvement with ASPSU and pass/no pass classes.
Morency, who was not present at the Senate meeting, chose not to appeal the J-Board’s decision.
“[Morency is] doing what she feels is best for herself and what’s best for the Senate,” ASPSU President Katie Markey said.
After Hall’s announcement, Markey presented her appointment of Smith to the senators.
“He would best enhance and help ASPSU grow,” she said of Smith.
Commenting on his decision to accept Markey’s appointment, Smith said that he was “terrified.”
“My wife was more excited about it instantly than I was,” he said. “If it wasn’t going to work…with our schedule as a family, then I would have passed it up.”
After the floor was opened for questions and discussions, during which time several senators expressed confidence in Smith, the Senate voted unanimously to appoint him. Two senators abstained.
“This is hard for me…because I think we all know what a kick-ass job Lauren did last year,” Smith said.
Smith is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and has three young children. He transferred to Portland State from Portland Community College. This is only his second term in ASPSU.
“I like being able to push myself about two or three steps further than I think I can go,” Smith told the Senate, “because I find I can actually go four or five.”
Smith’s replacement as president pro tempore is former Senator Melissa McCue.
“[McCue] worked tirelessly over the summer,” said Senator Patricia Binder. “I feel she’s really earned it.”
The president pro tempore is responsible for monitoring the Senate during meetings and establishing its agenda.?