By Vince Gasparini | February 5, 2025
Two Student Association Senators have filed a petition to the SA Supreme Court alleging an “abuse of power” by President Jalen Rose in his decision to hold office hours virtually for the Spring semester, according to court documents obtained by the ASP.
President Rose and Vice President Crawford attending Senate’s Jan. 29 meeting via Zoom.
Photo Credit: Vince Gasparini / The ASP
Filed by Senators Trevor Pettit and Nazar Yevko, the petition claims that since SA bylaws stipulate that officers need approval from the Chief Officer of their branch in order to hold virtual bylaws, Rose’s decision presents a conflict of interest as he is the Chief Officer of the Executive Branch.
Rose made the decision to hold his office hours remotely after taking on an internship in the nation’s capitol through the university’s Semester in Washington Program, where he is joined by Vice President Amelia Crawford.
“This decision represents a clear abuse of power done in order to neglect the official duties of the office,” the petition states.
The petition also claims that the President’s absence and his subsequent self-approval of virtual office hours “undermines his role as an elected representative,” along with causing “administrative dysfunction” and “impairment of organizational effectiveness.”
The position of President comes with an annual stipend of $8,500 along with an additional Summer stipend of $2,700; SA bylaws require all Executive Branch positions receiving a stipend at or above $1,000 to host a minimum of 10 office hours per week.
Pettit and Rose both declined to comment on the matter to the ASP at this time.
The Supreme Court will meet on Wednesday (2/5) at 7:00 p.m. to rule on the petition, just an hour before the Senate meets for its weekly meeting in the Campus Center Boardroom.