Student Body Treasurer John Taylor Willis, a third-year studying business administration and international studies, resigned on Wednesday morning, citing a desire to refocus on academics. Willis’s resignation officially closes a two-month long Student Government punitive process.
“After successfully defending myself from impeachment proceedings once, I simply do not have the time nor the energy to do so a second time,” Willis said. “My academics have suffered tremendously this semester and it is time I do what is best for me and focus on my education instead of continuing to put Student Government first.”
Willis had been facing impeachment charges of neglect of duty and abuse of power.
At the preliminary impeachment hearing on Sept. 5, the Senate committee on Government Relations and Oversight dropped the charge of abuse of power and lowered the sanction to censure, however this decision was voided by the committee on Oct. 11, citing a “continuous breach of parliamentary procedure.”
A re-do of the preliminary impeachment hearing was in the process of being scheduled at the time of Willis’ resignation.
Willis’ impeachment was the first time that the most severe charges were filed against a Student Government official since 2007, and he is the first student body treasurer to resign since Scott Lassiter in February of 2009.
Per Article 1, Section 14 of the Student Body Constitution, Senate Finance Committee Chair Sean Harrington, a fourth-year studying political science, will serve as acting treasurer until a special election is held, which is required within 30 days of Willis’ resignation.
“My advice to my successor is to do exactly as I did and stay focused on doing the job correctly and thoroughly,” Willis said. “People will often be impatient and critical of processes they don’t understand, but all that matters is that you maintain your integrity and do what you believe is right for the students.”
Willis previously served as a first-year student senator and a senator representing the Poole College of Management during the 95th and 96th sessions of Student Government, respectively.
A copy of Willis’ letter of resignation is attached to this article.
