Connor Clegg’s Impeachment Trial Results In A Protest At Texas State

“We’re tired of waiting, and we need the administrators to hear our voices,” said Gasponi.

By: Autumn Wright

Connor Clegg’s impeachment trial was adjourned early Wednesday night without a decision on whether the student body president would be removed from office.

The trial adjourned within the first 30 minutes of the student government joint-session meeting due to 19 student government senators not attending and having the Senate not be able to meet their two-thirds attendance quorum.

Many of the students became upset with the results of the trial and decided to commence a sit-in protest in the LBJ teaching theatre.

Student activists entered at the beginning of the joint-session meeting chanting in unison, “Hey, hey, ho ho. Connor Clegg has got to go.”

Claudia Gasponi, student government senator, said that the blame should also be shared toward Texas State administrators, like Dr. Margarita M. Arellano, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, who has the capability to address student government and immediately impeach Connor Clegg.

“We’re tired of waiting, and we need the administrators to hear our voices,” said Gasponi.

Gasponi said the 19 student government representatives who weren’t in attendance are also to blame because of their inability to represent the student body.

“It’s the people who didn’t show up that did something,” said Gasponi.

Administrators, Dr. Joanne Smith and Dr. Sherri Benn were called upon by Texas State students to have some of their concerns answered regarding student government, racism and the lack of representation in the faculty.

Dr. Joanne Smith, vice president of student affairs, said she is in no position to change who is in student government due to legal procedures and policies but is doing what she can to help create a better academic environment for all students.

“My job is to understand what students want and advocate for them as best as I can,” said Smith.

Smith wasn’t able to make any promises toward the students’ demands but has promised to bring their concerns to the president’s cabinet meeting tomorrow.

“I can’t sit here and tell you we’re going to do x, y and z; but what I’m trying to say is you have been heard, and we’ll review the student government constitution,” said Smith.

Dr. Sherri Benn, assistant VP of student affairs, said students’ frustrations are not being ignored, and she understands the struggles students are facing because these issues have been present for years.

“Can we fix this overnight? No, because we did not get into this issue overnight,” said Benn.

Benn said she admires the students for practicing their right to protest and shares their struggles. Benn also said it’s not in the administration’s control to take anyone out of student government.

“We can support your efforts in taking action towards student government, but we personally can’t change that because we can’t make that decision for you. That’s your opportunity,” said Benn.

Students continued to file into the LBJ teaching theater and protest the results of the trial.

UPDATE:

In an email sent out this morning, Gasponi said students have been performing a sit-in on the fourth floor of the LBJ Student Center for the last 18 hours. According to the email, they will remain there until University staff and administration meet the following demands.

• We ask that the Dean of Students (Dr. Margarita Arellano) and President Denise Trauth denounce and facilitate the removal of student body president Connor Clegg for his failure to represent students and the values of this university
• We ask that Dean of Students (Dr. Margarita Arellano) and President Denise Trauth denounce Texas State’s Student Government Senate for their failure to represent their constituents and their failure to be present at yet another trial.
• We ask that the President, Denise Trauth, and her Cabinet establish tangible action that will address the needs of students of color, which include:
  • A published timeline for the establishment of a diversity requirement to the general core curriculum
  • A published timeline for the establishment of Black Studies
  • A published timeline for the hiring of a full-time campus immigration attorney
  • The assembly of a task force of cabinet members, student leaders, and relevant faculty to address any other campus climate issues

“The demands imposed by students are reasonable and can be met. Until said demands are met, we have absolutely no intention of leaving the LBJ Student Center,” the email said.