ASUO Executive has appointed a new elections coordinator, senior Nolan Gary, who is set to be confirmed at next week’s ASUO Senate meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Because the Senate did not confirm the executive’s last appointee, the hiring committee, which consists of ASUO President Emma Kallaway, Vice President Getachew Kassa and Chief of Staff Ella Barrett, took extra time to make sure Gary was the best person for the job.
The committee decided on Gary on Saturday, Dec. 8, but it took winter break to mull over the decision.
“We took a lot of time because we wanted to make sure we had the person we wanted,” Kallaway said. “We conversed over the phone and finally made the decision in the last few weeks (of winter break).”
During fall term, the executive appointed senior Ian Rocker to the position, but the Senate, in a vote of 3-11-2, did not confirm Rocker. Senators discussed Rocker’s lack of experience and leadership skills, among other things.
“We wanted to make sure that we were taking senators’ concerns into account: ability to work under pressure, time commitment, neutrality,” Kallaway said. “I think that we need someone with a lot of gumption to be able to do this job, and (Rocker) did not bring tenacity to the hearing. It is my belief that (Gary) will differ in that instance.”
Gary is in his second term at the University. He interned for the Fundraising Coordinator last term and was involved in student government and elections at his former school, Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he sat on the Campus Safety and Security Committee and worked on a friend’s campaign during elections.
“I know I’m new on campus, but I know how important student elections are,” Gary said. “I know how important student government is to the individual student on campus. That’s why I wanted to do this.”
Gary said his lack of experience with elections at the University plays in his favor.
“I do have a lot to learn, but I believe my inexperience creates a distance between me and the candidates and it increases my independence,” he said.
Contention over the position is rooted in last year’s election, when the election board’s authority was fundamentally stripped after University administration overturned its ruling.
“I know that this is going to be a tough process,” Gary said. “I’m going to be asked very tough questions, and I expect those and should be asked.”
He added, “It’s a very important position. I believe that I’ll do well. I know what the position entails and how difficult it is.”
Gary said he had been preparing for the hearing by reviewing the rules stated in the Green Tape Notebook and Constitution Court cases, as well as talking to people in the ASUO.
“I know how firm and fair I need to be. I understand both the letter of the law and the intent of the law, as well,” Gary said.
Kallaway has pushed the confirmation hearing back to next week’s Senate meeting. The revised Senate Rules require notification of the appointment 48 hours before the hearing, and Kallaway wants to ensure that senators have sufficient time to make a decision.
Senate Vice President Nick Schultz said he thought Gary’s chances of confirmation
were good.
“Nolan has a real strong point having already interned with the ASUO. He knows what he’s getting into,” Schultz said. “It’s going to largely come down to whether he has managed a team in a highly politicized situation.”
Schultz also noted that the entire elections board is filled except for the coordinator, which puts a time crunch on Senate to confirm someone to the position.
“Elections are coming up, and there is a lot of work to be done. We do need a coordinator,” he said. “If we don’t confirm him, we’re going to be in a bit of a pickle. I don’t think anyone’s going to doubt his desire (for the position), so if he can demonstrate his ability to be viewpoint neutral and fair, he has a pretty good chance to be confirmed.”
[email protected]