The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate announced last night an initiative to impeach TCU Treasurer Matthew Roy, a sophomore, for unconstitutionally lobbying in support of a candidate in an internal election for Associate Treasurer and preventing debate on the issue. Sophmore senators Jessie Serrino, who resigned as Associate Treasurer last month, and Darien Headen filed the impeachment documents, which also cite an "unprecendented" speech Roy gave during a closed Allocations Board meeting. The speech allegedly influcenced the election and "intimidated and attacked members of the Allocations Board," according to the impeachment articles. TCU Vice President Meredith Goldberg said at the meeting that if the Senate impeaches Roy at its meeting next Sunday, it will be up to the TCU Judiciary to decide upon the appropriate punishment.
Roy gave his State of the Treasury speech immediately thereafter, commending the Senate for its usage of its allotted budget before giving the Treasurer's Report.
The Senate also passed a number of resolutions, including one calling for the university to divest from fossil fuels. About 30 members of student advocacy group Tufts Divest for Our Future were in attendance for the resolution's passage, including co?founder Dan Jubelirer a sophomore, who submitted the resolution with freshman Senator TarekMakawi.
Jubelirer and Makawi cited research arguing that the existing fuel reserves of the top 200 fossil fuel companies contained five times the amount of carbon dioxide needed to cause irreversible climate change. While Jubelirer admitted Tufts' divestment from such companies would be logistically difficult, he argued that it was part of a larger plan to create political change. The resolution passed with one dissenting vote.
The Senate also voted unanimously to pass a resolution supporting an extension of the undergraduate pass/fail deadline to match the current deadline for freshmen.
Senators also passed a resolution supporting the expansion of the Japanese House and the creation of an "Eco House" in the Hillsides Apartments. The meeting ended with a passed resolution to thank the university's critical service providers for their work during Winter Storm Nemo.
The Senate allocated $10,344 for the Tufts Quidditch team to attend the national championship in Florida, $4,000 to the Art History Society to mount an exhibition, and $3,890 to student dance group Pulse to finance a trip to a competition.
--
