On the evening of March 27th, the NAITSA Senate convened to deliberate on two significant motions. Both motions passed unanimously with a 12-0 vote, underscoring the unified commitment of our two elected student bodies – the Senate and the Executive Council (EC) – to the integrity and values of our organization.
The first motion focused on the conduct of Travis Luscombe during his time as Vice President Internal (2023-2024), leading to his removal from that position by the three remaining members of the EC on March 22nd due to behaviors that constituted a dereliction of duty and other forms of misconduct. These actions starkly contravened his fiduciary responsibilities as delineated in the NAITSA Bylaws. Following an exhaustive In-Camera evaluation of the material submitted by the EC, the Senate decisively annulled Mr. Luscombe’s impending presidency for the 2024-2025 term.
This decision originated from the EC’s action to dismiss Mr. Luscombe from his VP Internal position; however, their authority extends only to current term positions, not to elected positions for future terms. Consequently, it fell upon the Senate, as the overarching authority within NAITSA, to address Mr. Luscombe’s forthcoming presidency. Their decision tonight ensures that our leadership structure is aligned with our association’s values and standards.
The Senate also conducted the first reading of a Bylaw amendment stating that members removed from elected office are ineligible for future elected positions, with a second reading scheduled for a subsequent meeting.
While we acknowledge our community’s interest in the deliberations, we are mindful of the personal impacts of these decisions. NAITSA remains committed to fostering a learning environment that respects the dignity and future of all its members.
We extend our gratitude to Mr. Luscombe for his time on EC this year and for his availability during the meeting, though the Senate ultimately decided not to invite him to address the body.
In alignment with NAITSA Bylaws, we will proceed with a by-election for the now-vacant President position for the 2024-2025 term, with details to be announced.
Our sincere appreciation goes to the Senate for their professionalism and dedication, and to our student members for their patience and trust. This period has witnessed the diligent exercise of fiduciary duty by many within NAITSA, reflecting our collective commitment to the well-being and future of our organization.
We thank you for your understanding and continued support as we navigate these developments, always striving to uphold the values and integrity of NAITSA.
