Students in a student government meeting
Photo courtesy of @sbu_sga on Instagram
By David Scibilia, Managing Editor
Less than a week before student government elections, the Student Government Association at St. Bonaventure University said earlier today that no SGA-chartered clubs — including student media such as The Bona Venture or WSBU 88.3 FM The Buzz — can endorse any political candidate or students running for SGA office.
“I’m not going to open up the floor for debate,” said Abigail Docos, chief justice of the judicial branch of the SGA, during the meeting. “The decision has been made. This is the decision, and this is what it is.”
Docos directly said in the meeting that this decision extends to SGA-chartered student media organizations.
“The judicial branch came to the decision that clubs endorsing candidates could risk alienating or excluding members with different political or social views,” said Docos. “The purpose of clubs is to create an environment where all are welcome no matter what their affiliations are.”
If a club were to endorse a candidate, it may result in sanctions or a freeze on the club’s budget, said Docos.
“While we encourage individuals to exercise their right to vote in this election, clubs must remain neutral to uphold the principles of inclusivity and compliance with the Club and Organizational Handbook,” said Docos.
The Bona Venture prints two different types of opinion pieces: editorials — which are written and approved by the editorial board of the newspaper — and opinion pieces — which can come from individuals in or outside of the newspaper staff. Docos said The Bona Venture is not allowed to post either kind of story if it endorses a candidate until further deliberation with the judicial court.
“[The BV] is different than a news source in the real world,” said Docos. “I would have to consider [opinion pieces endorsing a candidate] with the Associate Justices, but I can tell you for sure, if the opinion is signed by a person with a signature that includes the name of a club they are representing, then that is not okay.”
However, Docos said The Bona Venture would be able to post the piece “If the opinion by the person is impartial.”
In a follow-up email to club presidents and advisors after the meeting, Docos said if a violation of the rule has occurred thus far by a club or any of its representatives, to correct the situation immediately.
According to the university archives, 156 stories — dating back to 1948 — mentioning the word “endorsement” are at risk of being removed due to this decision. Another 1,265 stories — also dating back to 1948 — mentioning the word “candidate,” would have to be sifted through to see which, if any, violate this decision.
Neither Docos nor any SGA executive provided a test or guideline for what violates this decision other than something that endorses a candidate.
“This is not a new rule that I am making,” said Docos. “I did not propose an amendment. What I [and all the associate justices] have done is interpret the Constitution and all the governing documents that are already in place. The rule was already in place, and it wasn’t followed.”
In the email, Docos cited part two of the Club and Organizational Handbook, which is about club membership, for the judicial court’s decision, which reads, “No student will be discriminated against at St. Bonaventure University for reason of age, color, ethnicity or national origin, handicapping condition, marital status, political or social affiliation, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.”
She also cited part XVI, which is about advertising, which reads, “Any individual or organization advertising on campus must make certain the following responsibilities are carried out.” These responsibilities read, “No political advertising or candidate promoting, i.e. signs, fundraising, etc. will be permitted on campus property.”
This decision was made after an unnamed student on the election committee of SGA — which oversees and verifies the SGA election process, according to the SGA Constitution — endorsed an SGA candidate on social media. This student will be allowed to remain on the committee, said Docos.
“Due to the amount of work they’ve put in, we want to allow them to continue on task,” said Docos. “But in order to ensure full confidence in the election process, due to the concern, our advisors, Katie [O’Brien, vice president for Student Affairs], Rob [DeFazio, dean of students] and Jenna [Keppel, assistant director for Student Activities, Programming and Engagement], have agreed to and will be double counting and certifying the votes and the election results.”
It is unclear how, if at all, this policy will affect political clubs such as the College Democrats or the College Republicans.
Docos declined an interview request due to a lack of availability and said the email she sent served as her official statement.
scibild22@bonaventure.edu
