Faculty Society (FacSoc) presidents are motioning to impeach AMS President Jana Amer.
In an e-mail sent to Assembly members on Feb. 27, a Special Assembly set for March 13 was announced, where a vote to impeach Amer will take place. The meeting was called by the Secretariat’s office “on behalf of the AMS executive.” This comes after Amer has faced backlash for personal purchases on the AMS credit card, totaling $377.32, which she later paid back.
A memorandum was attached to the meeting agenda, signed off by all FacSoc presidents, which outlined the four reasons they’re bringing a motion to impeach.
Specifically, their decision came from “a lack of transparency” surrounding the disclosure of financial information, failure to meet standards of accountability relating to “responsible financial stewardship” and communication with Assembly, capacity concerns as FacSocs were allegedly told the president didn’t have the bandwidth to manage procurement of receipts and financial documentation when requested, and overall loss of confidence.
“After sustained engagement, multiple meetings, and repeated attempts to resolve concerns through dialogue and internal processes, we have collectively determined that we have lost confidence in the AMS President’s ability to effectively fulfill the duties of the office and to serve the best interests of the student body,” FacSoc presidents wrote in the memorandum.
In a separate letter to Assembly, they further outlined their justification for this decision.
“The accountability measures taken in response to the actions of the AMS President were not proportionate to the level of trust that was violated. Additionally, the communication surrounding the situation did not meet the standard of transparency that students expect and deserve from their elected leadership,” FacSoc presidents wrote in the letter.
This motion is being submitted under Section 4.1.7 of the AMS’s constitution, which says the AMS President or Vice-Presidents may be removed from office by a two thirds vote of Assembly. Assembly members must be provided a written notice of motion at least two weeks’ in advance, which this email provided.
If the vote is successful, AMS Vice-Presidents Elena Nurzynski and Alyssa Perisa will appoint a new executive member, subject to approval by two-thirds of Assembly. If no one is approved by Assembly, an election could be called. According to the constitution, no more than one month can pass before a new executive is selected, and in the interim, the other executives will carry out the duties of the president.
In the memorandum, FacSoc presidents emphasized this wasn’t their first course of action, adding they met with AMS leadership and the Secretariat, sought clarity in the Presidents Council, demanded financial documentation at the Special General Meeting, and engaged directly with one another to encourage “corrective action and accountability from AMS leadership.”
“These steps were undertaken in good faith to avoid escalation. However, given the continued concerns surrounding transparency, urgency, and leadership capacity, we believe impeachment is now the appropriate procedural step under AMS governance mechanisms,” FacSoc presidents wrote.
The motion will be moved by Engineering Society President Jordan Belainsky and seconded by Commerce Society President Prem Mehta-Spooner. The Special Assembly is set for March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Goodes Hall, Room 108.
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AMS, AMS credit card, AMS President Jana Amer, Special Assembly
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