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Vol. 1, No.4
Penn State University, Brandywine
February 2008
SGA VICE PRESIDENT NOT IMPEACHED
By Christina Felizzi
Editor in Chief
clf5050@psu.edu
A large crowd of
students, faculty and staff
were present on Friday Feb-
ruary lst when the 6-6 vote
of the Penn State Brandy-
wine SGA determined that ©
Jeff Murphy would keep 4
his post as Vice-President
for the remainder of the
2007-2008 school year.
Members voted at the end | a
ff: 11 t t : oii SENN ee
of fall semester timp A VP ei Murphy: (london.
Murphy based on issues sasy TE Morphy)
such as attendance and
Murphy’s communication with other officers and the
members of the student government.
The hearing began with Deb Erie, Director of
Student and Enrollment Services, and Chris Coia, Associ-
ate Director of Student Affairs, who gave opening state-
ments, welcoming the attendees and members of SGA,
as well as stating the regulations that will be followed for
the impeachment.
Bernice Irby, SGA president, spoke first, using
only two out of the ten minutes she was granted to speak.
She concisely stated that the reason for Murphy’s im-
peachment was due to him missing several meetings and
his tardiness to many other meetings as well. Irby also
argued that Murphy would not give anyone a heads- up
when he missed a meeting, and that when he would at-
tempt to run a meeting without her presence, the meeting
would be unsuccessful and unproductive.
“His priorities were scrambled,” said Irby.
Murphy, the almost-impeached vice president,
then took the floor and used the entire ten minutes to
present his case. Murphy spoke openly and candidly
about his views of being part of SGA, his passion to
By Christina Felizzi
Editor in Chief
clf5050@psu.edu
The sky was a dull gray and the air brisk and
light, as families and friends of Penn State Brandywine
students filtered into the gymnasium for a special oc-
casion on Saturday, December 22nd. This past fall 90
students graduated from our Brandywine campus with a
variety of majors for associate and baccalaureate degrees.
Commencement began at 10:00am in the Commons/Ath-
letic Center.
The audience stood during the academic pro-
cessional as professors walked into the gymnasium in
academic dress. Chancellor Dr. Sophia Wisniewska de-
livered a warm greeting to all attendees after the National
Anthem was sung. Following the Chancellor’s welcome,
a Cas aT te
be involved in the community, and how important the
student body is to him. Murphy then presented a compi-
lation of emails that he had sent and had received from
SGA members during the semester, regarding various
meetings, events, etc., and explained that the emails were -
proof that had communicated to SGA members when he
could not make a meeting. Murphy then demonstrated
that almost no one responded to his emails, including
correspondence that discussed new ideas and projects
he had, such as broadening the Brandywine campus’ di-
versity, traveling to Penn State Berks campus to observe
their first year seminar classes, smoking policy, and so
on. Murphy also mentioned how he tried to publish the
SGA constitution online with the help of Rebecca Olley,
former SGA member, which ended up not happening
because of lack of involvement. :
Murphy ended with a final statement — “I’m only
as good as my team.”
After Murphy concluded, all those in favor of
the impeachment were allowed to speak. Treasurer of
SGA, Augi Bold, stood to speak. She explained that
Murphy’s poor attendance was really frustrating to deal
with as a fellow SGA member — if he was not willing to
be there, why should they be? Bold said she appreciated
Murphy’s emails but that wasn’t good enough when he
had a responsibility.
“They’re not enough. ..not showing up to meet-
ings is unacceptable,” she said. Circumstances became
emotional when Bold mentioned the death of Irby’s
mother. Bold stated that her passing was extremely
difficult to deal with, and Bernice was trying to do her
best as president during that time, but that not much was
accomplished because of Murphy’s absences as well.
Crystal Paulino, SGA Diversity Chairman, fol-
lowed in favor of the impeachment.
“The big issue was Jeff missing meetings. ..to
see our own vice president not there was very discourag-
ing,” explained Paulino. “Jeff is a great guy but it comes
down to business...more respectable business.”
To conclude those in favor of the impeachment,
JITANINC 11C 11
Eugene Chaiken, Chairman/CEO of the Almo Corpora-
tion, gave an address of his personal experiences and edu-
cation, in addition to some inspirational words of wisdom
to the graduating students. Next, the authorization to
confer degrees was stated by Kathryn Clayton, President
of the Campus Advisory Board, allowing Dr. Wisniewska
and Dr. Paul de Gategno, Director of Academic Affairs
of Penn State Brandywine, to begin the conferring of
degrees to the students.
One after another, graduating students pro-
ceeded to the podium to receive their diplomas, giving a
brief thanks to all who supported them throughout their
educational career. Twelve students received Associate
Degrees in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Manage-
ment, Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS),
Business Administration, and Letters, Arts, and Sciences.
‘The other 78 students received Baccalaureate Degrees
President Irby spoke again, stating that Murphys atten-
dance was inconsistent from the beginning, in addition to
the extra drama and personal issues that arose.
“There should have been more direct communi-
cation,” Irby said. “I like to run my SGA like a business.
I’ve had problems with him since before November.”
Those against the impeachment were then per-
mitted to speak on Jeff’s behalf. Jeff began the discus-
sion by questioning Rebecca Olley on her thoughts.
“The SGA members haven’t been acting like
professionals,” observed Olley. She even quoted Irby
saying before winter break was over, “Jeff better not
think he’s vice president when he comes back.”
Former SGA president, Paul Hurych, felt he was
in a unique position to be speaking because he was the
former president of SGA.
“As students, first and foremost, we have other
obligations such as family and friends,” said Hurych. He
explained that Jeff has many things going on in his life,
as everyone does, and if anyone has shown enthusiasm
and passion to succeed, it’s Jeff.
“Who here has never missed a meeting?” asked
Hurych. “May he who is without sin cast the first stone,”
stated Hurych. He also pointed out that although Murphy
did not attend the CCSG meeting, yet he is driven and
motivated to make SGA work.
“Does Jeff want to be involved and has he been
trying?” Hurych asked the SGA. “Has everyone been
allowing him to do his job?”
SGA Secretary Angelica Sinigaglio used an
analogy to illustrate Jeff’s situation. There are two stu-
dents, student A and student B. Student A does not attend
class but receives A’s and student B attends class but re-
ceives D’s. Like student A, Jeff would not come to every
SGA meeting, but his effort and passion for the SGA was
always there, explained Angelica.
Impeachment aside, SGA does have a lengthy
to-do-list of events and projects for this semester. Now
that internal issues have been laid to rest, the SGA hopes
to get on task and proceed with their plans.
in several majors, including Communications, History,
Kinesiology, Marketing, HDFS, Information Sciences
and Technology (IST), English, Business and many more.
Following the awarding of degrees, Shawn
Manderson, president of the Penn State Brandywine Con-
stituent Society, gave the final statement of the afternoon,
a greeting and congratulations from the Alumni Associa-
tion. To wrap up the event, the audience joined faculty,
staff and students in singing the alma mater, and then
after the recessional was completed, graduates and their
guests were invited to attend a reception in the gymna-
sium.
Another successful and commemorative com-
mencement has passed at Penn State Brandywine, and
commencement for Spring 2008 on Saturday, May 17th,
is yet another anticipated event to add to our campus’
history.