After it lost the ability to allocate student fees, the Student Government Association has been working to regain miles lost. However, a meeting today with Student Affairs may set the group in the right direction.

SGA President Mallory Davis said the group will be meeting with Student Affairs Vice President Rodney Bennett to discuss the administration official’s expectations.

Inman Porter

“We have not really been able to communicate with Dr. Bennett this summer, because he’s been away with his family on vacation for an extended period of time,” Davis said. “I’m really interested to hear what his conditions are, and what we have to do to get these funds back.”

SGA’s ability to allocate funds, which was won in 2009, was rescinded in June after the arrest of SGA Treasurer Inman Porter for public intoxication. Police arrested Porter after he was found running near the Inner Loop and Tallassee Road on June 11.

The charges were later dropped after the Solicitor General’s Office determined Porter’s case did not meet charge requirements.

“I want to be clear I wasn’t drunk,” Porter said. “The cop may have to say that. From what I could see he was kind of a new cop anyways, and he didn’t breathalyze. Now he’s definitely going to have defend his position and say that I was drunk — if nothing else, to protect his job.”

In a letter to SGA, Bennett wrote that the fund allocation suspension was “in light of recent news reports of the arrest of Inman Porter.” The letter also stated “the allocation process will remain suspended until such time as [SGA has] the opportunity to conduct [its] own review of this situation.”

Following Porter’s refusal to resign, SGA announced in late June that the organization would consider an impeachment process. Porter has also been charged with disruptive or disorderly conduct caused by the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs by the Office of Student Conduct. The hearing is set for Aug. 26.

Porter said he believes he will be found innocent by the University, and the University may be pursuing charges due to policy.

“It’s probably just a formality. I don’t know,” Porter said. “The case was dismissed by the courts of the United States of America. I’m innocent and I’m looking forward to presenting the truth to the University.”

Davis said she was uncertain whether the SGA would continue to seek Porter’s impeachment if University charges against him were dropped.

“Just because of all that’s happened during the summer, I would love to include the general SGA in that decision,” she said. “I would love to hear their reaction to that news, because money is definitely a touchy subject right now, not only for our nation but for individuals.”

She also said she was interested to see the outcome of the trial and that she found Inman’s refusal to resign disheartening.

“It has been extremely disheartening, since he is new to the organization. I think he’s been unable to grasp the larger picture of what’s been at stake here,” Davis said. “We’re trying to think about what’s best for the organization moving forward from here, but this is really saddening.”

Porter said he felt SGA would not pursue his impeachment after the trial, however, and that there would be “nothing to gain” from his resignation.

“I don’t believe SGA would impeach an innocent man. An investigation would reveal that I’m innocent,” Porter said. “I’m capable and ready to get back to work.”

OSC file Inman Porter