The Murray State University Student Judicial Board will hear a complaint Monday from Student Government Association President Brendan Hawkins, challenging the validity of votes that led to his loss in the recent SGA election, to Vice President of Administration Ali Khatib, according to an anonymous source. Hawkins lost the election to Khatib by two votes.
The Judicial Board, a branch of SGA, is composed of seven students serving as justices who handle cases involving the SGA constitution and parking and traffic violation appeals brought to them by “students, faculty or administrators.” The Judicial Board hears cases that are submitted through online forms.
According to the source, the Judicial Board will hear the complaint at 9 a.m. Monday, March 31, originally in the Ohio Room of the Curris Center. The Judicial Board, as stated in Article IV, Section 2 of the SGA Constitution, complies with the Kentucky Open Meetings Act, meaning this trial will be public. But, this trial was not listed on the SGA calendar on the website when a News reporter checked the site on Wednesday, March 26.
By invoking the Student Senate Bylaws of SGA, specifically Article V. Section B, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4, the Murray State News contacted Campus Activities Board Co-Chairs Audrey Hart and Kailey Evans, inquiring for information.
The News also contacted Chief Justice Piper McClain of the Judicial Board, Murray State Public Relations and the Office of Branding, Marketing and Communications inquiring about the trial.
Evans said she will “look into it.” McClain did not reply, but the others referred the News to SGA coordinator and adviser Kade Gambill, who had already been contacted.
Gambill said there is a “case” under review by the Judicial Board.
“Since this is an active case, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any details at this time,” Gambill said.
On Friday, March 28, 3:05 p.m., another anonymous source told the News that “the hearing is open to the public now.”
“They’ve just changed it, as of 3:03 p.m.,” the source said.
The trial can now be seen on the SGA calendar. It’s listed as “Judicial Board Hearing” for Monday lasting from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the Curris Center Ballroom.
Hawkins has declined to comment or answer questions about the trial or his challenging of Khatib’s votes, saying he doesn’t want anything to jeopardize the hearing.
Khatib declined to answer questions as well, saying he’s been advised by the Judicial Board not to reveal details.
For more information, the links appropriate to the SGA calendar, bylaws and constitution, as well as the Kentucky Open Meetings Act can be found below.
SGA calendar:
https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/orgsRecreation/StudentOrganizations/calendar.aspx
SGA Student Senate Bylaws:
SGA Constitution:
Kentucky Open Meetings Act:
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=23042
