ASUM to close meeting
Members will elect a new board chairman at the meeting.
Published April 22, 2005
The Associated Students of the University of Missouri board of directors plan to close the meeting to elect a new board chairman on Saturday morning.
The board has no provision to close the meeting in its constitution and the action could be a violation of the Missouri Sunshine Law, which opens meetings, documents, records and deliberations of public governmental bodies to the media and the general public.
Executive Director Beth Tankersley-Bankhead said the board revised its constitution to include closing elections. Although the provision isn't in the current constitution, the board will approve the revision at the meeting on Saturday.
Board member Craig Kleine said many board members want to close the election to allow people to speak candidly in the meeting.
"We feel it's an important position and want people to speak openly," Kleine said. "I personally don't think it should be closed, because people shouldn't feel that their position can't be expressed with the media present. But, I follow the board and I see their reasoning."
The board decided earlier in the semester to close elections, Kleine said.
Missouri Students Association President Tony Luetkemeyer said he the closed meeting surprised him.
"I was shocked, and I'm very unhappy that they're closing the election," he said. "I have no problem with them closing portions that deal with hiring or firing staff members, but an election should be open."
He said he plans to speak to the board about their decision at the meeting.
"As an ex-officio member, I have speaking privileges and I plan to use them to speak about this," he said.