Edmond Lewis

Edmund “PJ” Lewis has been removed from his position as junior class president for neglect of duties.

This is the first Student Government Association removal ever in the history of North Carolina Central University.

According to Tomasi Larry, SGA vice president, “It is a matter of professionalism to remove any officer from their position if they are not upholding their part.”

Article VII, Section 4 of the NCCU SGA Constitution outlines the duties that a class president should carry out. According to Larry, Lewis did not carry out these responsibilities.

“They knew I had class during the times of the meetings,” said Lewis.

“It was just a lot of animosity towards me since the beginning.”

The junior class council approached Larry with a petition signed by 11 members of the council, requesting to impeach Lewis.

Larry then sent an e-mail requesting Lewis’ presence at an impeachment hearing in front of the senate.

“I subpoenaed him, as well as any witnesses he wanted to have present at his hearing,” Larry said.

“He did not show up to his own impeachment hearing, or send someone in his place. What does that say to your student body?”

Lewis said, “I didn’t want a representative, I wanted to be there to defend myself. I sent Tomasi a note explaining why I could not attend.”

According to Lewis, he was out of town at a fraternity meeting on the day of the hearing.

“They could have postponed that meeting,” Lewis said.

“They had their minds made up from the beginning that they were going to impeach me.”

SGA senate members, executive board members, and some administrators were present at the hearing, held on January 25. The decision to remove Lewis was unanimous.

“I’m saddened that he was impeached and duly removed from office,” said Larry.

“But this just goes to show that SGA is developing into a more professional organization.”

While some feel the impeachment was necessary, others believe there were other motives behind the removal.

“I feel it is necessary to remove anyone that is not doing their job, but at the same time I think they did it to prove a point,” said a junior senate member.

“The school year is almost over; it doesn’t take a whole semester to realize that a person is not doing their job.”

With SGA elections approaching in the spring, Lewis feels his impeachment had a lot to do with it.

“They wanted to eliminate the competition early,” Lewis said.

“Everyone knew I was going to run for SGA president.”

A person is not able to run for SGA president if they have been impeached or removed from office, according to Article XI, section 5 of the SGA constitution.

Junior Class Vice President Corey Dinkins will now take charge of Lewis’ position.

“Corey can appoint someone to take the office of vice president,” said Larry.

“That person has to be approved by the class council and senate first.”

Lewis said he has no hard feelings toward Dinkins.

“This is just a learning process for me,” said Lewis.

“I’ve been bamboozled.”