SGA PRESIDENT
RESIGNS DN THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 2013
THE DAILY NEWS
Remarks on Twitter lead to vice president taking over position
BSUDAILY.COM
ARIC CHOKEY AND EMMA KATE FITTES news@bsudailynews.edu
STUDENTS’ REACTIONS TO TWEETS A compilation of comments and tweets about SGA events + PAGE 2
Malachi Randolph, Student Government Associa- dent pro tempore, will take the role of vice president. Sention president, has apologized following his resigna- ate elections will take place in about two weeks to detertion for tweets that he said were out of frustration. mine the next president pro tempore, Anagnos said. The resignation announcement followed a flurry of “Obviously I am stepping into this right off the bat,” Ancritical tweets Tuesday in response to Randolph tweeting agnos said. “This is obviously a lot different from when I a series of degrading comments toward Chinese people actually ran because when I ran I knew the responsibiliand culture. ties of the vice president very well, Randolph, who had an Asian whereas president, I don’t know studies minor as a freshman and those responsibilities as well.“ has been to China, apologized for Randolph will remain in New the tweets. York City for Fashion Week for a “I’m sorry on all fronts. I’ll say week and half. it over and over again,” he said. “I “I don’t think that it’s going to was very frustrated and stressed blow over,” he said. “It’s already out with all the work I had to do. too late for it to blow over.” I was frustrated with my boss, and Randolph said returning withhe happens to be Asian. The fact out SGA will be “different.” MALACHI RANDOLPH, that he’s Asian plays no role... “I was spending a good 50 hours SGA president “I cannot have a perfect Twitter. a week working for Ball State and I’m sorry, I can’t. I can try, and I’m SGA and in my office,” he said. “My going to try a lot harder from now life was SGA.” on to be professional, and not to express my views that The university will not be taking any disciplinary action will be considered as racist or hurtful.” regarding Randolph. Though Randolph is not performing SGA duties, his “His remarks are not a violation of any university policy official written resignation may not be given to the stu- or law,” said Tony Proudfoot, a university spokesperson. dent senate until Wednesday, said current Vice President “He is likely to find, however, that such remarks do have Chloe Anagnos. unintended social consequences beyond formal actions A week after the resignation goes through, Anagnos will from the university.” move up to president, and Alyssa France, current presiSee SGA, page 7
OUR VIEW The president may resign, but the executive board has work to do + PAGE 7
« I’m sorry on all fronts. I’ll say it over and over again. »
Student Government Association President Malachi Randolph listens during the SGA meeting in which he was inaugurated on April 17. Randolph is in the process of removing himself from office. DN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
WHAT HAPPENED?
Breakdown of the past 2 days, following SGA through the tweets, events that led to a resignation
TUESDAY
AROUND NOON
Randolph released three racially derogative tweets toward Chinese people. “It’s so hard not to let national pride turn into arrogance when arguing with a Chinese person. #Americaisbest,” one tweet said. LATER THAT DAY
The tweets were taken down later in the day and replaced with a tweet asking for support. “At this point, what I need is support,” the tweet said. “From God. From friends. I make so many mistakes, but God is merciful.” Students began responding to Randolph’s statement on social media, mainly Twitter. Their opinions ranged from supporting him to calling for his resignation.
WEDNESDAY
Randolph took ownership of the tweets. “Today, I made insensitive comments through a social media account,” he said in an emailed statement. “I understand my words were hurtful. My actions in no way reflect the Student Government Association, and I vow to use better judgment in the future.” SGA released their first statement saying they were disappointed with Randolph’s actions and that they pride themselves on the diversity of their board. “President Malachi Randolph has worked tirelessly to build relationships with diverse groups from all over campus,” the statement said. “We are working to ensure our executive slate is sensitive to all groups and the constituents we serve.”
@MalachiRandolph
It’s so hard not to let national pride turn into arrogance when arguing with a Chinese person. #Americaisbest. Sept 3
said in an email that Randolph’s comments will not face university sanctions.
AROUND 5 P.M. SEPT. 4
AROUND 11:30 P.M. SEPT. 3
TWEETS FROM THE SGA PRESIDENT
SGA announced in an email that Randolph will resign due to the controversy. “I made a mistake yesterday, I let stress and work pressures affect my ability to act professionally,” the statement said. “As SGA president, I understand my actions represent you. I regret making comments on a social media account that do not accurately reflect my own character or the dignity of the Student Government Association at Ball State.”
@MalachiRandolph
8 P.M. SEPT. 4
SGA hosted its call-out meeting.
Ugh, people frustrate me. Sept 3
9 P.M. SEPT. 4
SGA hosted a three-minute press conference to address the controversy, with no question and answer portion. “I am deeply sorry for the hurtful words he used and the harm he caused,” said Chloe Anagnos, SGA vice president.
@MalachiRandolph
Stereotypical Chinese<<<< Sept 3
THE FUTURE
According to the SGA bylaws, Randolph’s resignation could take up to a week to become official. Anagnos will succeed him as president.
6 P.M. SEPT. 4
Tony Proudfoot, Ball State associate vice president of Marketing and Communications,
@MalachiRandolph
I hate when Chinese poeple make me write emails in Asian speak. They think they know English better than me. #childish Sept 3
-STAFF REPORTS
Cards hope to repeat 2011 success SENATE COMMITTEE BACKS SYRIA STRIKE Wenning, receivers had breakout game against Army in ‘11
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MATT McKINNEY SPORTS EDITOR @Matt_D_McKinney
When Ball State takes the field against Army on Saturday, it will be an anniversary of sorts for three Cardinal players. The Cardinals played against the Black Knights two years ago at Scheumann Stadium on Family Weekend. The three main skill position players on Ball State’s offense, Jamill Smith, Willie Snead and Keith Wenning had career games against Army in 2011. “Was that our coming out game, so-to-speak?” said Rich Skrosky, Ball State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “It was pretty good. The biggest thing was we hit some big plays in that game.” One of those big plays was Smith’s first career touchdown. It was in the north end zone by a two-yard pass from Wenning in the second quarter. That was the first of Smith’s
MUNCIE, INDIANA
nine career touchdowns to date. “It was a slant-and-go behind the corner for a touchdown,” Wenning said. Since scoring on the slantand-go, Smith has 97 receptions and 1,049 yards. He has also showed promise in the return game. Over the past four years, Smith has 1,523 kickoff yards returning and 385 punt yards returning. Smith said he’ll always remember the first touchdown he scored, but played down its significance. “I’ve scored many touchdowns in my life,“ Smith said. As a freshman, Snead had a career high 10 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. It was also the first time Snead broke the 100-yard receiving yards mark. “It just shows you you can do it again,” Snead said of his recollection of going over 100 yards. “If you can get one 100-yard game, you can get another one.” The game showed signs of what Ball State fans would eventually see on a game-bygame basis in the 2012 season. Snead’s junior year saw him catch 89 passes for 1,148
MAKE SURE YOU MOVE YOUR CARS FROM THE STADIUM BEFORE SATURDAY
CONTACT US
Legislation reviews Obama’s plan to use force against Assad
| THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DN FILE PHOTO SICONG XING
Senior wide receiver Jamill Smith and junior wide receiver Willie Snead congratulate one another during the game against Illinois State on Aug. 29. Ball State will take on Army this Saturday at Scheumann Stadium.
yards and nine touchdowns. Two years later, Snead said he runs more routes than he did in his freshman season. “My freshman year I only ran two or three routes,” Snead said. “This year I feel like I can run so many more routes. There’s so much more I can do just because of the work I’ve put in with Keith.“
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CHIRP HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS FOR BALL STATE AND ARMY Ball State will face challenges from Army’s rushing attack + PAGES 3 AND 4
See ARMY, page 5
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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s request for speedy congressional backing of a military strike in Syria advanced Wednesday toward a showdown Senate vote, while the commander in chief left open the possibility he would order retaliation for a deadly chemical weapons attack even if Congress withheld its approval. Legislation backing the use of force against President Bashar al-Assad’s government cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on a 10-7 vote after it was stiffened at the last minute to include a pledge of support for “decisive changes to the present military balance of power” in Syria’s civil war. It also would rule out U.S. combat operations on the ground. The measure is expected to reach the Senate floor next week, although the timing for a vote is uncertain. Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky conservative 5. SUNNY
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with strong tea party ties, has threatened a filibuster. The House also is reviewing Obama’s request, but its timetable is even less certain and the measure could face a rockier time there. The administration blames Assad for a chemical weapons attack that took place on Aug. 21 and says more than 1,400 civilians died, including at least 400 children. Other casualty estimates are lower, and the Syrian government denies responsibility, contending rebels fighting to topple the government were to blame. The Senate panel’s vote marked the first formal response in Congress, four days after Obama unexpectedly put off an anticipated cruise missile strike against Syria last weekend and instead asked lawmakers to unite first behind such a plan. In Stockholm, Sweden, where Obama was traveling on Wednesday, the White House praised the vote, and said it would continue to seek support for “a military response that is narrowly tailored to enforce the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons, and sufficient to protect the national security interests of the United States of America.” THE PULSE OF BALL STATE
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Beautiful weather in the forecast today. Sunny today with a few clouds, high of 77. Enjoy the sunshine! – Samantha Garrett, WCRD Weather
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THE PULSE OF BALL STATE