MSA leaders clash during justice appointment
If approved by MSA Senate, Todd Smith would be sworn in Wednesday.
Published April 29, 2005
The Missouri Students Association Senate Operations Committee approved a new chief justice of the Student Court on Tuesday night, despite a heated discussion that concluded with President Tony Luetkemeyer telling committee Chairwoman Taylor McKinney she was "full of shit."
The committee approved Associate Chief Justice Todd Smith, and Nathan Weidner, another justice on the court, was also nominated.
The argument stemmed from Luetkemeyer’s decision to give the committee a choice between two nominees. Historically, the president only has appointed one justice for the Senate to consider.
McKinney said both candidates were qualified, but the judicial branch and Luetkemeyer had different opinions about who should be appointed. Because of this, Leutkemeyer opted to appoint both and let Senate decide, she said.
Luetkemeyer said the blowup in the committee meeting was a result of frustration with the process.
"The issue was, I felt certain members overstepped their authority to put forth candidates," he said. "It’s the sole responsibility of the president, according to the constitution. They decided to pursue their own interests when they had no right to constitutionally."
McKinney said she thought Luetkemeyer’s behavior in the meeting was out of line.
"Honestly, I don’t know how he felt he was being forced into any decision," she said. "The only thing I talked to people about was the process through which we were going to approve a nominee. I was confused if he was really going to send both candidates. I thought his outburst was inappropriate, and I think he was worried the committee wouldn’t go with his choice."
Senate Speaker John Andersen said he opposed Leutkmeyer’s solution because it gave more power to Senate and less to the president.
Chief Justice Joanna Shrewsbury said she was glad that two nominees were brought before the committee, because they had different strengths and because the choice eliminated questions about conflict of interest regarding Luetkemeyer and Smith’s friendship.
"I think the most important thing was Todd would have been less likely to be approved, had he been the only nominee, because it would have looked strange for a president to pick his best friend," she said. "With two nominees, it shows Todd is what MSA wants in a chief justice."
McKinney said the debate became personal.
"I think this needed some outside unbiased opinion," she said. "Sometimes we get so personally wrapped up in the things we’re doing, we lose sight of the fact that we’re serving students. The spirit of the law has an unbiased opinion and we successfully chose the best candidate."
Smith said he’s honored the committee chose him, and said he wants to make the Student Court more active in MSA.
"Part of our job is to be there to mediate problems within MSA," he said. "We’re a valuable asset to bring about quick resolutions. If there’s a problem with no end in sight, we can very quickly bring it to an end."
The full Senate has to approve Smith on Wednesday at its final meeting of the semester. Smith will be sworn in at the same meeting if approved.
