Former CSL chair takes heat for Johnsonian interview
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 4:17PM By Jonathan McFadden & Eddie Szeman
mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com & szemane@mytjnow.com
Click to read the special press release sent to The Johnsonian earlier this afternoon
The Council of Student Leaders’ general meeting on Monday night was punctuated by the usual committee updates and little future planning, but the majority of the night’s excitement came during the open floor portion when former CSL Chair Sydney Evans found herself battling accusations regarding a recent interview with The Johnsonian.
Several CSL members were holding paper copies of the issue, reading the story, “Garvin announces second term bout,” when the topic was broached.
In response, Evans opened a highlighted copy of The Johnsonian and proceeded to defend herself.
“The purpose of media is to hold governing bodies responsible,” Evans said.
Agreeing in principle, Kristi Schoepfer, assistant professor of sports management, insisted, “There’s a difference between accountability and negativity.”
Members were generally split in their reactions, some defending Evans, others carefully reprimanding her statements, and others insisting the context of her quotes lent to the misunderstanding.
In the story, Evans is quoted saying, “…I think someone needs to run against him,” referring to current CSL Chair Kambrell Garvin, who announced his bid for reelection in Winthrop’s second-year democratic student elections.
During her interview with The Johnsonian, Evans —also election commissioner of CSL— was asked if there were any members within CSL’s ranks she thought would make good candidates in the upcoming presidential race.
She listed the name of several current members of CSL, including a non-member student who attends the meetings regularly, as potential exceptional candidates for president.
At the time of the interview, Garvin had yet to announce his bid for reelection and no names were on the election ballots.
On Tuesday, CSL released a press release to The Johnsonian, detailing the duties of the election commissioner, which include ensuring that the election process is executed fairly.
“As a result of the important role served, the Commissionaire must be impartial and fair to each candidate seeking office,” the release says.
“CSL remains confident in Ms. Evans’ ability to lead our efforts in the second student wide election and looks forward to increased voter turnout as well as student involvement throughout the process,” said Kambrell Garvin, CSL chair, in the press release.
Uniting CSL members at the end of the meeting, Dean of Students Bethany Marlowe encouraged a campaign of positivity and support for CSL. CSL Vice Chair Sapp agreed, suggesting that CSL release a “report card” a la Gov. Nikki Haley and show students exactly what CSL has accomplished this year.
Students interested in running for president will have to turn in their application materials on March 5 by 5 p.m.
