The impeachment papers filed by two Tufts Community Union (TCU) senators calling for the impeachment of TCU Treasurer Matthew Roy express in no uncertain terms both the extent to which Roy has allegedly violated the TCU Constitution and Treasury Procedures Manual and the punitive measures desired. The allegations against him are clear breaches of the constitution; attempting to influence an internal election and making defamatory statements against the Allocations Board (ALBO) members in what the proposal calls "an unprecedented address" should not be taken lightly. But nor should they be blown out of proportion to the detriment of the students and student groups that the Treasury and its members work with.
On the one hand, Roy's comportment outlined in the proposal has no place in TCU government. Lengthy quotes adapted from Roy's speech and embedded within the senators' document demonstrate a lack of professionalism and good judgment unbecoming of a representative of the student body, especially one as prominent as the TCU Treasurer.
If the impeachment articles pass next week-that is, if the Senate votes that Roy's behavior was inappropriate to his position-and it comes to the Judiciary to decide on an appropriate punishment, however, it should avoid too harsh of a response. Regardless of the result of the Senate's vote, the behavior of all members involved constitutes an internal dilemma, rather than one that merits a punishment that would affect the upcoming budgeting process. Too harsh a punishment would be as much a referendum on the TCU Senate and the Judiciary as on Roy and would warrant serious introspection as to the purpose and responsibility of student government.
Rather, the fact that the papers have been filed and the vote on them has been scheduled for Sunday is, at its core, a symbol of the work the Senate has ahead before it can consider itself prepared for budgeting in the coming months and the transition to new leadership at the end of the semester.
The students we elect each year to various governing bodies on campus are chosen to represent the values and desires of the collective body. Though it is imperative that all representatives comply with the internal guidelines of their governing documents, it is even more critical that they do their specific jobs with integrity and accountability.
It is up to the Senate on Sunday to decide whether they believe their Treasurer merits punishment for his actions. Insofar as the impeachment filing is concerned, though, Roy's performance as TCU treasurer and his execution of the duties of that role have not been called into question.
This warrants a step back: One of the most important duties of the Senate is to fairly and efficiently allocate the Student Activities Fee to student groups participating in the budgeting process. Any next step the Senate takes should keep this in mind. What's best for the Senate should be what's best for the student body it serves-and more bad blood between senators is good for neither.
