Tensions flared in yesterday’s Student Senate meeting as arguments regarding the proposed separation of the Judicial Branch continued and grew as heated as the crowded Senate chambers.

Answering complaints regarding the defeat of an initiative that would have divided the two bodies.

Tom Stafford, vice chancellor for student affairs, took the floor at yesterday’s Student Senate meeting and attempted to lay all continued upheaval to rest.

The initiative, which had support from both the Student Government and the Office of Student Conduct, would have placed all control of the student judicial branch under the jurisdiction of Paul Cousins, the director of the Office of Student Conduct.

“In all of my 35 years at N.C. State I can’t remember a semester when there have been this many problems and disruptions,” Stafford said.

His decision to use his authority to dismiss any further debate on the topic of separation marks his first action as vice-chancellor that directly overrides the “inner workings” of student government.

“I’ve asked all them to step up and work together in a collaborative way to move Student Government forward.” Stafford said.

His presentation to the Senate garnered pointed questions and arguments made by the senators to question the degree of influence their decisions will have in the future.

Stafford answered direct questions from the students and offered suggestions on how the Student Government might move forward from the dispute.

He said he feels that there is no need to change how student government is currently arranged because the judicial branch has always done a good job.

“I have the highest regard for the judicial branch. They need to keep on doing what they are doing,” Stafford said.

Some members of the Student Senate are not pleased with Stafford’s decisions and especially dissatisfied with the amount of say they were given regarding their own actions and initiatives.

“Dr. Stafford presented a very respectable argument, but the discussion got heated and was over too quickly. I hope Dr. Stafford is more open-minded to the decisions the student body officers and advisers make,” Student Senate President Forrest Hinton said.

Student Body President Whil Piavis sat in on the first half of the Senate meeting and, although he remains neutral on the issue of judicial separation, he was pleased with the way the debate was handled. Piavis sits on an advisory committee which will review this matter and make recommendations to Stafford in the future.

The Senate plans to proceed on this issue slowly, taking into consideration all discussions of officers and advisers and insuring that no actions are taken prematurely.

“Dr. Stafford needs to be open to change,” Hinton said.

Following Stafford’s presentation, Senate officials offered their reports, with Hinton solidifying his dissatisfaction with the decision to maintain unity with the Judicial Board.

Brooke Norman, a junior in English, is a new senator and said she was pleased with the fortitude the Senate displayed when arguing with such a high ranking administrator.

“It made me more excited to be a part of it. The Senate didn’t back down and that speaks highly of us, as a whole,” Norman said.