Last Tuesday, Dozmen Lee, director of student residency, posted an 11-minute video to Snapchat criticizing a divisive clique culture which has taken hold in Student Government and impedes its fundamental goals.

The Senate responded by interrupting scheduled business and devoting an hour to questioning Dir. Lee in an open forum. Thereafter, Speaker Cody Woodruff called a special session around a bill introduced by Sen. Jacob Schrader which stipulates a range of grievances against Lee from many in Student Government and rescinds the executive order establishing the director of student residency cabinet position.

The session was canceled due to weather conditions, but despite the ensuing lull, the irresponsible and ill-intentioned actions by multiple parties continue to disorient our Student Government and undermine its ability to function and lead.

Members have proceeded to damage this government’s reputation by prioritizing a corrosive internal debate over the needs of the student body, doing a disservice to their constituency.

Cooler heads must prevail, and Student Government should remember its primary responsibility is serving the interests of the student body.

Schrader’s bill and its concerns merit further attention. However, volatile personal attacks and the abrupt timing of this bill’s submission cast doubt on its objectivity.

Additionally, the problem we are presented with is no longer just about Lee, it is about Student Government’s ability to function and proceed on fair and justifiable grounds.

To that end, the Senate should establish a balanced special committee tasked with formulating a path forward.

The committee should be assigned a submission deadline, and the Senate should vote on the committee’s submitted proposal in the session following the deadline.

Additionally, to preserve the legitimacy of this process in light of Woodruff’s campaign interests, the Speaker and his running mate, Sen. Analese Hauber, should recuse themselves from participating in the selection of the committee, from committee proceedings, and from the final vote.

Implementing this process will set a precedent which, if followed, may ensure Student Government withstands future conflicts like this and may salvage Student Government for the remainder of the current term.