MSA impeachment plan collapses
Published April 9, 2004
A discussion to impeach Missouri Students Association President Brian Laoruangroch fizzled out Wednesday after senators who met with him decided there was not enough support to pursue it.
Student Fee Review Committee Chairman Matthew Sokoloff said he and Operations Committee Chairwoman Amy Engelkenjohn met with Laoruangroch on Wednesday and asked him to step down or Sokoloff and others would start a petition to impeach him for "nonperformance of duty." Sokoloff said he changed his mind Wednesday night after talking to other senators.
Laoruangroch said he thinks he's doing a good job as president and an impeachment case against him is unfounded.
"He doesn't have a case," he said. "I think according to the bylaws and Constitution, I've done my job."
Sokoloff said Laoruangroch's attitude and behavior sometimes is inappropriate. Sokoloff cited instances in which Sokoloff says Laoruangroch fell asleep in meetings and/or showed up late to meetings.
"He informed us that he thinks the way he acts is the best way to represent the student body," Sokoloff said. "I would challenge that."
Sokoloff said he thinks there is no longer enough support for impeachment.
"I think we're better off without Brian, but without support the cost to the organization is tremendous," Sokoloff said.
Sokoloff said he thought there was support for an impeachment, but supporters changed their minds for individual reasons.
Engelkenjohn said she sat in on the meeting to help find a solution to the situation that would be best for MSA and the student body.
"I don't think an impeachment is worth pursuing," she said. "I think that if students feel he should be impeached it's our responsibility to do what they want. But I don't know how students feel."
To formally start the impeachment process, 20 percent of senators would have to sign a petition to bring a bill to the Senate floor. A debate would then be held in Senate with the Chief Justice of the Student Court presiding. If three-fourths of the present senators passed the bill, the officer being tried would be impeached and removed from office.
Laoruangroch said he was surprised by the confrontation.
"When I initially heard about this, I was shocked," he said. "I think I'm doing a better job than a lot of people expected me to and a better job than I ever thought I could."
Laoruangroch said he will think about issues Sokoloff raised and consider changing some behaviors.
"This only gives me more initiative to show people how hard I work," Laoruangroch said. "I'm going to have to look like I'm doing a good job. I have to be more obvious about what I'm doing. I absolutely love this job. I'm always doing MSA work. I have a pillow and blanket here because I sleep in my office three nights a week. I work on MSA until about midnight, wake up at 5 to work some more and start meetings at 8."
Engelkenjohn said Laoruang-roch's behavior and attitude aren't always appropriate, but Laoruangroch still is in touch with the students.
"He has a lot of strong points," she said. "Brian is very enthusiastic and very in touch with students, which is something a lot of MSA presidents had kind of forgotten about."
No paperwork regarding an impeachment has been filed, Senate Clerk Greg Chase said.
Sokoloff said he hopes his discussion with Laoruangroch will have a positive effect on MSA.
"Maybe it'll snap him into reality, and he'll realize we do take this seriously," he said.
Laoruangroch said he is receptive to others' opinions on how he can do a better job.
"I think I make myself very accessible and approachable," he said. "If someone brings my attention to something, I'll take a look. There are tons of things I can do to improve, but bringing up an impeachment was way off."