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Senator faces censure for sexual assault accusations
During Tuesday's meeting, ASOSU Senate moves to censure Executive Chief of Staff for alleged sexual assault
Shanna Woodruff
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: News
At Tuesday's ASOSU Senate meeting, Sen. Desiree Segura, a senior in philosophy and women studies, brought special business. She moved to censure Executive Chief of Staff Matthew Pennington, a senior in natural resources, on account of alleged sexual harassment and/or assault.
"We are responsible for justice," Segura said. She further explained that there had been two sexual assault incidents that occurred before winter term and apologized for withholding the information previously and not addressing it until now. Pennington spoke to the Senate in regards to the accusation and explained the e-mail he received from Sen. Segura.
"I was shocked to receive such an e-mail, and in my opinion understandably upset," Pennington said. Pennington contacted a colleague to discuss the matter and has been advised by Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity office (AAEO) to not discuss any allegations or accusations. "I cannot confirm or deny anything."
Pennington proposed that himself, Segura and several important members of ASOSU, including President Ryan Mann and Vice President Kimberly Nickerson, meet at the earliest convenience to discuss the motion with members of the AAEO.
"I want this to be a restorative, just action and to do it the right way," Pennington said. "I really want to do what's best for all parties."
A censure was then defined as a formal method of reprimand given by a governing body. The intent of the reprimand is to prevent the individual, who is receiving the censure, from performing the questionable action again.
According to one of the sexual assault victims, the incident reportedly happened at a Oregon Student Association transition meeting with unknown amounts of alcohol involved.
"It was hard to work at ASOSU and I didn't get a lot of support from Ryan or Kimberly," the victim said. They sought help regarding the situation through the affirmative action - to no avail - and in the end later resigned from ASOSU.
"We are responsible for justice," Segura said. She further explained that there had been two sexual assault incidents that occurred before winter term and apologized for withholding the information previously and not addressing it until now. Pennington spoke to the Senate in regards to the accusation and explained the e-mail he received from Sen. Segura.
"I was shocked to receive such an e-mail, and in my opinion understandably upset," Pennington said. Pennington contacted a colleague to discuss the matter and has been advised by Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity office (AAEO) to not discuss any allegations or accusations. "I cannot confirm or deny anything."
Pennington proposed that himself, Segura and several important members of ASOSU, including President Ryan Mann and Vice President Kimberly Nickerson, meet at the earliest convenience to discuss the motion with members of the AAEO.
"I want this to be a restorative, just action and to do it the right way," Pennington said. "I really want to do what's best for all parties."
A censure was then defined as a formal method of reprimand given by a governing body. The intent of the reprimand is to prevent the individual, who is receiving the censure, from performing the questionable action again.
According to one of the sexual assault victims, the incident reportedly happened at a Oregon Student Association transition meeting with unknown amounts of alcohol involved.
"It was hard to work at ASOSU and I didn't get a lot of support from Ryan or Kimberly," the victim said. They sought help regarding the situation through the affirmative action - to no avail - and in the end later resigned from ASOSU.
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