by Joe Harris
senior editor

The Student Government Association presidency is still in limbo after SGA president Darwin Butler's court hearing Nov. 4.

Butler has been absent because of the revocation of his work release from the St. Louis County Jail. The Nov. 4 hearing was meant to clarify Butler's status. The case was continued because of a detainer in Butler's work release agreement by Nevada.

Interim SGA vice-president Steven Wolfe was named acting president in an emergency SGA meeting Oct. 28. Wolfe said he will remain the acting president until Butler's situation changes.

"According to the constitution," Wolfe said, "I am still acting president and until either an impeachment proceeding needs to be brought up or [Butler] is declared no longer a student, he is still president."

Wolfe said that he is serving both as president and vice-president during Butler's absence. He said it would be up to officials in Woods Hall to declare Butler no longer a student, but he said he doesn't think that will happen.

"I don't think [the administrators] are going to do anything because legal complications would happen if they try," Wolfe said.

Joanne Bocci, interim associate vice-chancellor for student affairs, said that a student can have their status revoked only if they have committed a major infraction of the conduct code warranting suspension or expulsion. Bocci said Butler's situation is not at that level.

Butler "would have to officially withdraw," Bocci said. "If he officially withdraws, then maybe he can get some 'Y' grades. He would have to talk to each faculty member, but he would have to call and withdraw from classes, and until he does that he is still a student."

D. Mike Bauer, SGA chair, said he has tried to contact Butler, but was unsuccessful.

"When I called the lock-up in Clayton, I was told that any visitation would have to be initiated by the inmate," Bauer said.

Bauer said he wanted to find out Butler's intentions and he was going to try to talk Butler into resigning.

If Butler does not resign or withdraw and no impeachment proceedings are brought forth, Butler could remain SGA president until December.