NOTE: This editorial has been corrected since it originally appeared in print. The context of the correction is appended.
On Wednesday, March 13, the Constitution Court dismissed a grievance filed against Student Senator Nate Gulley. In the grievance, Gulley was accused of having a conflict of interest after refusing to recuse himself from a vote that was to personally benefit him.
In response to the favorable news, Gulley directed invective toward some of his fellow Senators – surreally accusing them of racism – and the author of the grievance, Oregon Commentator editor-in-chief Ted Niedermeyer. “I’m sure there will be more grievances filed against me in the near future, but for the record, Ted Niedermeyer can kiss my ass.”
Gulley’s prescience is nothing short of amazing. Shortly after Con Court’s decision, Senate Ombudsman Natalie Kinsey filed a Senate grievance, accusing Gulley of a litany of offenses, including swearing during senate meetings, unbecoming behavior during senate meetings and defamation of senate members outside of the public meeting.
In a packet distributed throughout the ASUO and campus media, it says, “By saying that all 10 senators have made contentious racist attacks, he is directly inferring that they are all racist. Someone cannot make a racist attack (without) being racist.”
The packet also contends that in order to make accusations of defamation, a person must first show that he or she was identified. In this case, Gulley’s identification of 10 senators as being racist is sufficient.
Perhaps it borders on condescension to claim that Gulley needs to learn that his words, actions and overall behavior have consequences. But Gulley’s college age belies an individual who is deeply bereft of any sort of inner barometer – something that tells him that he ought not make certain comments. Gulley deserves to receive condescension. Gulley deserves to be told – very slowly – that his behavior has a poisonous effect on the ASUO.
Unfounded accusations of racism have no place in the ASUO, especially if the purpose of such claims is to intimidate and personally attack your supposed enemies. When accusations of racism become commonplace – the favored rhetorical flourish for anyone who feels as if he or she has been slighted -the term loses its meaning.
As student elections start in earnest, it is imperative for the ASUO to send the message that professionalism is important. No one in student government is attempting to censor Gulley; they are simply attempting to reprimand him for making inappropriate comments about his co-workers and peers. This would be the case in any other work environment.
Possible sanctions for Gulley include suspension from Student Senate for up to three weeks, loss of stipends for up to one month, or the removal of Gulley from his position as Senator. We feel that Gulley’s actions warrant his removal; however, any kind of punishment would be sufficient. Kinsey prefers suspension from Senate. However, these charges deserve vigorous debate within Senate. Hopefully this happens, with no further outbursts.
Retraction: Because of a writer’s error, the editorial in Tuesday paper, “Charges against Senator deserve debate, ODE April 3” the Emerald incorrectly attributed University Journalism professor Tom Bivins to multiple quotes in the editorial. The information originally attributed to Bivins actually came from an ASUO memo that was written by senators, not Bivins.