The selection of a Government of the Student Body senator from Frederiksen Court is neither illegal nor unfair, said members of the panel who selected the new senator and candidates for the seat.

The new senator was selected Tuesday by three students who met in private. The students refused to release their decision to the Daily before the GSB Election Commission was informed.

Residents of Frederiksen Court were unable to ask questions during an interview process used to determine who will represent the community in GSB.

Two Frederiksen Court community advisers and Frederiksen Court Community Council Chairman Derek Light met with candidates Randy Gebhardt and Travis Hilscher to pick a winner. Iowa law says government bodies must conduct their business in public, with only a few exceptions allowed for specific provisions.

Gebhardt, though, said he was not bothered by the process.

“Last year our president went through the exact same process,” he said. “This is pretty standard. Constituency councils aren’t ever required to record the minutes of their meetings, so I don’t think the law applies.”

Hilscher also said he was OK with Frederiksen Court’s process, but mentioned others are not.

He said a few people within Frederiksen Court have expressed to him their displeasure in using a private process, as they originally were allowed to vote but now cannot participate, Hilscher said.

GSB election officials could not be reached for further comment.

The race was contested after Gebhardt’s biography was not uploaded on the election Web site in time for the start of voting. As a result, all Frederiksen Court votes were voided, and the council created a panel to suggest a winner to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Gebhardt serves on the Frederiksen Court Community Council.

“I think they’ve done a good job of trying to make sure the system is fair,” said Jeremy Schweitzer, vice-commissioner of the GSB Election Commission. “I’ve been an election commissioner in the past for constituency council, and it takes a lot of effort to get people to vote.”

Light said the decision will be turned in by noon Wednesday.