(Mitchell Richtmyre / Fourth Estate)

Despite a decision to impeach, Grays still presides over Student Government

BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR

Undergraduate Student Body President Isaiah Grays has appealed his impeachment and will tentatively remain in office in accordance with the Code of Student Governance of George Mason University. 

In their Oct. 30 meeting, the Undergraduate Representative Body voted to impeach President Grays. The impeachment legislation was sponsored by Christian Collins, chair of the University Services Committee. 

This was followed by a vote by the representatives, structured from Robert’s Rules of Order, to remove Grays from acting as the presiding officer for the remainder of the meeting. The presiding officer gavels the meeting and ensures Student Government representatives act with decorum. 

Though the vote to impeach Grays passed, it did not immediately remove him from office. The Elections and Disputes Commission held a hearing on Nov. 10 between Grays and Collins, as well as spokespeople for each side. 

The Elections and Disputes Commission published a decision ruling Grays was guilty of four out of five charges, including corruption, misconduct, unprofessional and unethical conduct, and neglect of duties. 

This decision would have formally removed Grays from office; however, he chose to appeal. 

At the Undergraduate Representative Body meeting on Nov. 20, Tyronne Mitchell Jr., chair of the EDC, announced that it was within Gray’s constitutional right to continue to preside over the Undergraduate Representative Body during the appeals process. He claimed that no other governing documents, such as Robert’s Rules of Order, could prevent Grays from acting as the presiding officer over meetings. 

The EDC is meeting to decide if the appeal by President Grays has standing, and has told Fourth Estate that they will release a statement on their findings soon.  

Isaiah Grays did not respond to a request for comment.