Emporia State University’s Associated Student Government vice president is facing impeachment proceedings beginning this week.
The Diversity and Inclusion Committee has released a statement saying impeachment begins Thursday against Michaela Todd. The impeachment proceedings follow a social media post made by Todd in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach. As part of the post, Todd said the former Secretary of State would “put Kansans first, not illegal aliens,” as part of a list of reasons why she supported Kobach for governor. Todd also said the state spends millions of dollars on public welfare, again using the term “illegal aliens” in saying that approach “hurts Kansas taxpayers every single day.”
The social media post drew both praise and sharp criticism on campus before it was removed. Todd was asked to resign during a recent ASG meeting but refused, saying, “I took an oath to represent the students of Emporia State University, and representation is not about perfection. It is about conversation, learning and coming together as a unified body. Together is how we will learn and overcome adversity.”
Impeachment needs a two-thirds approval vote of the Senate to advance to a second vote, where a three-fourths majority of the ASG Senate would be needed for removal. If impeachment passes the first-round vote Thursday, the second vote is planned for Nov. 29.
Diversity and Inclusion Committee chair Kimberly Nguyen says the committee has started the proceedings based on the university’s code on racial or ethnic harassment, which is defined as ethnic slurs and other verbal or physical conduct relating to race, ethnicity, or racial affiliation — and is illegal under Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.
KVOE News has reached out to Todd and Nguyen for comment.
Statement from Emporia State ASG Diversity and Inclusion Committee – Impeachment Announcement
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Statement from Emporia State ASG Diversity and Inclusion Committee – Reasons for Impeachment
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Nov. 7 statement from Emporia State ASG Vice President Michaela Todd
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