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SALT LAKE CITY — Westminster College's administration has removed the student body president for unbecoming behavior, though his peers voted to keep him onboard.
Student Body President Nick Raoux got in trouble with the school for being drunk in public at an extracurricular activity and having liquor bottles on the Westminster campus. At a public student hearing, Raoux later apologized. The student government voted not to impeach Raoux at the Oct. 22 hearing. On Oct. 30, the college removed him from the position for his violation of student conduct.
The college says it has the right to remove him for violating the student conduct code despite the vote. Westminster is considered a wet campus, allowing alcohol in its dorms.
Student Senator Cannon Atkinson said that student government is more than just a voting entity on campus. He also said that the administration's move has dangerous consequences.
"What it showed us is that any of us can be removed at any time if the college deems our actions unsavory, which is a scary thought," Atkinson said. "Granted, this is a rather extreme case, but sometimes you have to look at the extreme cases."
Karnell Black with Student Involvement says students do have a voice, but they have the code of conduct, too.
"And our code of conduct is something everybody has to abide by, not just the student government, not just one club, not just an athlete, but every student," Black said.
The school released a statement earlier this week explaining their role in the proceedings.
"The ASWC Senate has no role in the hearing or determination of disciplinary charges against a student or in the allocation of disciplinary sanctions against an individual under the Student Code of Conduct," administrators wrote. "Neither can an ASWC Senate vote exempt any student from responsibility to observe the Student Code of Conduct or shield any student from the consequences of its violation."
Wednesday, student protested by taping their mouths shut to show their voices are suppressed.
