A day after announcing plans to impeach Emporia State Associated Student Government Vice President Michaela Todd, the ASG Government Diversity and Inclusion Committee has reversed course.
The ASG announced the committee decision via Twitter Wednesday afternoon, stating: “For our safety and well-being, the Associated Student Government Diversity and Inclusion Committee rescinds our statement on the impeachment of Vice-President Todd.” The statement went on to say: “Our committee would like to clarify we did not intend to make Vice-President Todd feel isolated in her community.”
The impeachment proceedings came about after 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. Impeachment proceedings were planned to begin Thursday and would have required a two-thirds vote of the Senate to advance to a second vote. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee was planning to say Todd’s statements violated the university’s code of conduct for racial or ethnic harassment.
Emporia State University has released a short statement:
“The university encouraged Associated Student Government to study the issue and determine appropriate next steps. Associated Student Government has resources at its disposal to make an informed decision, understand the ramifications of its actions and plan a constructive path forward.”
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as they develop.
Related: Original story from KVOE News
Nov. 13 statement from ESU ASG Diversity and Inclusion Committee
{gallery}ESU ASG Statement 3{/gallery}
