Shakour still unable to pass legal advisor through Senate

While the Senate rejected two presidential cabinet nominations Tuesday night, difficulties in selecting the Student Association’s top legal advisor showed political divisions between the executive and legislative branches.

President-elect Audai Shakour’s nominee for vice president of judicial and legislative affairs, sophomore Jeff Goodman, unsuccessfully tried Tuesday night to reverse a Senate Rules Committee decision to reject his candidacy. Last week, Shakour’s legal advisor throughout the campaign season failed to pass through the committee. Shakour narrowly beat Coalition for Reform candidate Ben Traverse to win the presidency.

Tuesday, Shakour nominated Will Donovan, another top campaign advisor, but the Rules Committee once again blocked the nomination from a vote by the full Senate.

“The committee is looking to approve the best cabinet for serving the needs of students and the SA,” said Chris Rotella, chairman of the committee. He added that the decision is “strictly based on the individual, with no consideration of other people who may have applied.”

Shakour said the nomination process for the judicial and legislative affairs post has become “a matter of a guy I want versus a guy they want.”

“I need someone who is qualified and someone I can trust,” Shakour said.

Aside from problems with two nominations, 10 of Shakour’s 12 vice presidential and director nominees were approved by the Senate.

The legislative body accepted Stephanie Adelman as vice president of financial affairs; Casey Pond as vice president of public affairs; John Och as vice president of undergraduate student policy; and Meredith Wolff for vice president of community affairs. The Senate also confirmed six director nominees.

-Jenette Axelrod