Royal Purple

Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: News

Scully [Click to enlarge]

Tim Scully is defending his actions as Whitewater Student Government president after being criticized in a Royal Purple staff editorial.

The article stated since the beginning of this semester, 17 senators resigned, mostly in protest of how Scully has conducted business since taking office in fall.

Former and current WSG senators addressed their concerns in the article, stating the administration has failed to make any positive improvements during the semester.

Scully said in a Letter to the Editor he was not asked to comment on any of the concerns addressed by the Royal Purple, including the resignation of senators and the way in which senators were elected.

In an Oct. 21 article of the Royal Purple about former WSG senator Max Taylor being the 14th member to resign, Scully said losing any member isn't good for any organization, but if someone has too many commitments, he understands their reason for resigning.

"Recently there have been allegations, by some within and some outside WSG, that I might not be doing the best work on behalf of the organization or acting in the best interests of the university," he said. "While I hear these concerns loud and clear, not only through rumor, but also through print in the Royal Purple, there are a few things I need to set straight."

The editorial stated Scully may have unconstitutionally appointed an executive board member because there was no quorum, or the minimum number of senators needed for approval, held prior to filling the position.

"We as the elected president and vice president are only presented with one option," Scully said in an e-mail to WSG members in May. "On July 1, I will specially appoint an individual to be our temporary [Information Technology] director … We are left with no other options, and unfortunately we must proceed as we see best fit for the organization, university students, the executive board, and the Senate for the following year."

In the letter, Scully said he and former WSG Vice President Sara Campeau made the process of selecting executive board members open, something past administrations did not do. He said they sent a public e-mail, made applications available on the Web site and posted signs to inform people of open positions.

Scully said they decided to send a public e-mail, made the applications available on the Web site and had signs made for outside the office to inform everyone of open positions.

"The accusation that we made decisions based on personal friendships is false," he said. "Every single selection was backed up with credentials and experiences to make them the best possible fit for the organization and the Senate."

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