With the power of an executive order, Government of the Student Body President Rob Wiese appointed Jeremy Williams as interim director of financial affairs Thursday, just one day after the new Senate rejected Williams’ nomination. “I was understandably disappointed. I think this [meeting Wednesday night] was just kind of playing games, which is sad. I hope we can move beyond the politics,” Wiese said.

Williams’ nomination was originally passed by the Senate, 20-17. However, senators motioned to revote, and Williams was rejected by the Senate after several senators questioned whether Williams, a senior in computer engineering, was qualified for the job .

Williams’ qualifications include: Towers Residence Association president for two years, GSB senator for one year, treasurer of KURE, member of the Iowa State Daily Publication Board, Inter-Residence Hall Association parliament member for more than two years and a member of several other student organizations.

Williams said he was expecting some opposition from the Senate.

“To me it seems the senators, instead of deciding if I was qualified, were more interested in comparing me to someone else,” Williams said. “I expected there to be some controversy, but I didn’t expect it to be that severe. I didn’t expect them to not even consider it.”

Despite the Senate’s rejection, Wiese is confident Williams will be approved next semester, when the Senate reconvenes.

“Jeremy will end up getting seated. People who don’t know him will see over the summer that he really knows what he’s doing,” Wiese said.

Wiese said he wrote the executive order because it is his job to fill the position for the summer and Williams was the most qualified candidate.

Once the Senate reconvenes next fall, Wiese said he plans to again submit a seating bill, asking the Senate to approve Williams for the position. “Until he’s seated, he’ll be the interim,” Wiese said.

According to the GSB Constitution, Wiese could submit a seating bill to approve Williams at every meeting next year until he is approved. Williams can serve as the interim finance director for as long as Wiese retains him.

Michel Pogge, LAS, said the Williams situation is a repeat to what happened last year with former GSB President Adam Gold. After Gold’s choice for finance director was denied, Gold also appointed an interim director of finance, Todd Swanson. Swanson was approved by the Senate in the fall as the permanent director.

“The problem with the GSB Constitution and the way things are set up, if Rob wanted to, he could resubmit Williams every single meeting and nothing could stop him,” Pogge said.