The Mississippi State University Student Association Senate voted late Tuesday night to charge SA President Cameron Cummings with three counts of impeachment, setting in motion a process that could lead to his removal from office.

After about four hours of deliberations, senators voted to approve charges of misconduct in public affairs (29-14), misuse of lawful authority (30-13) and refusal to complete duties while in office (30-13). A fourth charge of dereliction of duty failed to pass, falling one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed.

According to the SA constitution, 29 votes, two-thirds of the senate present, are required to formally charge an officer with impeachment. Conviction and removal from office will require three-fourths of a Senate vote at a later hearing. It remains unclear whether the Senate will consider these charges simultaneously or hold multiple hearings on Sept. 16.

Campus-Wide Senator Sydney Broderick initiated the proceedings.

“As senators, we swore an oath to protect the constitution, statutes, and bylaws of the Mississippi State University Student Association,” Broderick said. “Each one of us is called to defend our constitution, and recent discussions and speculations that the SA president has not upheld its requirements.”

Broderick cited allegations of Cummings missing or arriving late to meetings, misconduct with his executive team and failing to complete duties in office.

After the vote, Cummings criticized the process as disorganized and unfair, providing a statement to the Reflector’s reporters.

“This process was not taken as seriously as it should have been. The Senate did not have the understanding of the severity of the issue throughout the entire process, with the Vice President, Karolina Heathcock, having to repeatedly call for order and decorum. I do not believe that these charges were filed in good faith or with the benefit of the student body in mind. I find it very telling that Chief of Staff Abby Reeves was denied the right to speak even though her name was mentioned throughout and was a key figure in the case. I will continue to work for the benefit of the student body especially in regard to appropriations and making sure that student orgs are funded despite the actions of the bad actors of the senate and executive board. It was a confusing process for senators. The accusing parties refused to elaborate on the charges even after repeatedly being asked by multiple senators. The impeachment was called to “restore order” and for the process to be so dysfunctional does not make sense. This was a fundamental misunderstanding of the impeachment process.”

Vice President Karolina Heathcock also sent a statement to the Reflector.

“With numerous senators distracted by phones, side conversations, and disruptions, the meeting environment was not conducted with the seriousness that these proceedings require, even after requesting decorum multiple times. Adding to this concern, I observed several senators, presiding officers, and the primary accusers using the meeting as an opportunity to campaign for votes via phone, which I believe was unprofessional and inconsistent with the spirit of impartial deliberation. These circumstances give me reason to question whether the vote to advance this matter to an impeachment process was conducted in good faith. Furthermore, I was not afforded the opportunity to address blatant falsehoods presented about me by Secretary Spreen before the full body, which I believe undermined the fairness and integrity of the process.”

This is a breaking news story that is still being developed.