Former SGA President’s Executive Cabinet resigns – Technique

On April 16, the undergraduate Student Government Association’s (SGA)’s 11 government cupboard members collectively resigned from their positions, citing allegations of sexual misconduct towards the previous Undergraduate Student Body President, Samuel Ellis, INTA ‘22, as their major cause.

In an announcement to the Institute neighborhood printed on every of their private Instagram accounts, the cupboard members said ”In mild of latest allegations towards the Undergraduate Student Body President, we’re stepping down from our SGA roles to face in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault and harassment.”

The choice was preceded by the allegations of sexual misconduct towards Ellis being publicly posted on the @gt.lesbianmafia Instagram account. The account, which generally posts comedic content material and memes surrounding the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood at Tech, printed the allegations in a submit titled “Georgia Tech Gay Starter Guide” on April 14. The submit’s third image options Ellis, alongside a caption stating, “Certain SGA presidents and Fraternity BOYS might sexually assault you regardless that you clearly aren’t . It is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so I’m completely satisfied to make everybody conscious.”

The submit has garnered over 1,000 likes, and quickly unfold round among the many pupil physique upon its posting, with many commenting their reactions. Two days later, the whole government cupboard resigned after discussing the small print amongst themselves.

A member of the previous government cupboard who needs to stay nameless mentioned the resignation with the Technique.

“We by no means met as a full cabiweb to make the choice. We in the end made the choice of a joint assertion after a number of conversations between totally different VPs. Everyone in the end seemed to the [Executive Vice President] once we made the choice to all resign and signal the identical assertion,” mentioned the supply.

The cupboard determined this was one of the best plan of action on account of the quick period of time remaining on the then present SGA officer’s phrases.

Ellis and his cupboard’s phrases expired on April 19, whereas impeachment would, at a minimal, have required two weeks to happen as a result of SGA bylaws dictating their proceedings.

“The [President] refused to resign, and it [would] take at the very least 2 weeks for an impeachment to be full (from a particular session of the House being referred to as, the UJC assembly and making a call, and UHR voting on the advice). [Given this], it was one of the best motion we felt we might take,” mentioned the supply.

When requested whether or not Ellis had mentioned something to SGA concerning the allegations, the supply mentioned, “He by no means had a gathering with [the SGA Executive Cabinet] as an entire. He didn’t concern any statements to SGA and remained largely silent. He met with Dean Stein, our [Executive Vice President], and the incoming President… He simply despatched all present cupboard members a message explaining his aspect of the allegations.”

In addition, in accordance with the supply, Ellis refused to resign.

When requested concerning the board’s choice to resign, Ajanta Choudhury, BIO ‘22 and the previous Executive Vice President, didn’t want to remark. Ellis didn’t reply when requested to remark.

Ellis’ fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, launched an announcement on April 19 stating that “This previous week, Phi Gamma Delta acquired information of allegations towards one among our members. Immediately upon receiving this data, the chief cupboard and judicial board unanimously agreed to immediately droop his membership,” with out naming the member.