Aaron Shumaker, Undergraduate Student Government president, must write a clarification statement to The BG News that accounts for his support of Gordy Heminger, candidate for Ward 1, as an individual and not as a representative of USG.

The letter sent to Shumaker that included the ruling made by USG’s Procedures and Appeals was read by Josie Miller, chief administrator, at last night’s USG meeting.

Last Monday, Jim Wasil, president of College Republicans, spoke for about 40 students who attended that night’s USG meeting in asking Shumaker to apologize or resign as either USG President or as Treasurer for Heminger’s campaign.

The letter read by Miller states: “After careful consideration of the situation, we have decided to require a clarification statement to the BG newspaper. This will include a simple statement explaining your support as an individual of Gordy Heminger and not as USG’s support.”

The letter did not include the charges against Shumaker.

But afterward, Miller said the Board had investigated charges that some students thought that Shumaker had represented them and USG when supporting Heminger.

After the meeting, Shumaker gave his opinion of the ruling.

“I’m pretty OK with that,” Shumaker said.

In reference to an appeal made by Maria Khoury, president of College Democrats and former senator, that the senate give Shumaker a second chance, Shumaker said he believes the senator did that with the ruling.

Other senators are also satisfied with the ruling.

“I believe the ruling is fair. It satisfies the concerns of the constituents without doing anything too drastic,” said Johnnie L. Lewis, at-large senator.

Michael Rejent, off-campus senator, also thinks the Procedures and Appeals Board did a good job in making the ruling.

“I think they did what they needed to do,” Rejent said.

Wasil, who spoke during open-forum at the meeting later said that he hopes the matter will end with a well-written letter by Shumaker.

“If it’s good and comprehensive and I feel that it really clarifies things, then it’s settled,” Wasil said.

But if Wasil and the students who are upset with Shumaker are unsatisfied, Wasil says they have options for further action. The students could go back to USG or go to the “top brass” and ask for an ethics investigation.

Earlier in the meeting, Khoury made a passionate appeal to the senate to give Shumaker a second chance.

Khoury referred to a case last year in which USG voted against censuring Wasil and gave him a second chance instead of revoking his voting rights for missing meetings when he was a senator.

Khoury asked whether Shumaker should also be given a second chance.

“Even if you believe he has done something wrong as was stated earlier, doesn’t he deserve a second chance?” Khoury said.

After the meeting, Khoury said she doesn’t personally think Shumaker has done anything wrong.

Khoury also said that while the appeal was addressed to senators at the meeting, “it’s something I would address to students.”

After the meeting, Miller said she could not comment on how the decision was reached by the Procedures and Appeals Board.

“Our decision is public, but our deliberations are private,” Miller said.

Other members of the Board were advised not to speak to The BG News, Amanda Furnas, board member says.

Also at the meeting, USG also passed legislation to promote the creation of a 24 hour quiet study space on campus.