Official business

The surprising resignation of the Office Party’s treasurer has been handled well.

Tonight, in room 148 of the Student Learning Center, members of the Office Party will be inaugurated into their Student Government Association positions – with one major change.

Keri McCrary, who ran for treasurer alongside Connor McCarthy and Nicki Batelli, submitted her resignation letter to The Red & Black Sunday evening.

According to McCarthy and Batelli, the move which began Feb. 20 was unexpected.

However, we commend McCrary for her handling of the situation. The political atmosphere is not for everyone, and SGA is a consuming time commitment. Rather than spending a few weeks dithering in office and stepping down, McCrary allowed McCarthy and Batelli to select a replacement before the inauguration.

SGA senate will vote tonight to confirm the appointment of Megan Buzzard, the current finance director for SGA. With her preemptive resignation, McCrary ensured the new administration be inaugurated intact and remain cohesive throughout its tenure.

Though we are concerned this situation will harm the credibility of SGA in the eyes of some students, we respect McCrary’s decision and commend McCarthy and Batelli for their swift action and tact.

If this situation is demonstrative of the new administration’s capabilities, we look forward to the upcoming year.

- Shannon Otto for the editorial board

Objectivity needed

An ombudsman office is crucial to proper investigation at the University.

During a University Council meeting Feb. 7, University President Michael Adams responded to faculty calls for the addition of an ombudsmen office. Adams promised to form a committee and did so. Within a week, he is expected to announce his decision.

It is apparent the University is in dire need of an ombudsmen office, and The Red & Black hopes the delegate appointed should be independent of the University.

We want this office established before the beginning of the next school year to handle all complaints from students, faculty and staff.

The official should serve as an advocate for their rights and issues by investigating complaints. The ombudsman should consider all sides in an objective manner.

As The Red & Black has reported in its series of articles on sexual harassment, the Office of Legal Affairs conducts investigations.

But how balanced can this office be, when the University is charged with protecting its own?

This ombudsman position exists at other schools, including Cornell, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, University of Kansas and Clemson.

The University of Kansas’ Web site states its ombudsman office purpose is “to act as ‘an ear to the people’ so every voice … can be heard and receive impartial attention without fear of retaliation and loss of privacy.”

All of these schools’ ombudsmen offices promise to be a confidential, neutral, informal and independent resource for conflicts and concerns.

This is what we need.

- Juanita Cousins for the editorial board