ST. LOUIS — The student body president at ºüÀêÊÓƵ University has been ousted following a dispute over his views on the Israel-Hamas war.
Marquis Govan and former student vice president Nikolay Remizov had a disagreement about the situation in the Middle East, after which Remizov abruptly resigned, according to an email sent to students from the executive board of the university’s Student Government Association.
“Upon processing (Remizov’s) resignation, it became clear that there were some allegations of misuse of power by Mr. Govan, which is what launched the investigation by the Internal Affairs Committee,â€Â reads the email.
The committee found Govan violated “the ideals and values of the Jesuit Catholic Tradition†by pressuring Remizov to resign and showing “a consistent overreach of power in the role,†according to a bill to impeach Govan that was approved Nov. 1 by the student senate in a 22-4 vote.
People are also reading…
“We understand that this development may be met with a range of emotions, but we want to assure you that SGA is fully committed to upholding the values of fairness, democracy, student representation, and integrity. We are dedicated to maintaining a student government that acts in the best interest of the entire student body,†reads the email from the student board.
Govan, a junior and graduate of De Smet Jesuit High School, could not be reached for comment but reacted to his dismissal on social media.
“Last week I was removed as President of my university’s student government, stemming from a conflict that started with me expressing my views on Palestine. I felt sad but nothing brings me more joy than to see thousands of ppl standing up for humanity and peace. I am beyond moved,†Govan posted Wednesday on X.
Govan first gained as an 11-year-old activist during the Ferguson protests in 2014. He was elected president of the SLU student government March on a platform of “radical love, community and inclusion,†according to the .
Govan’s ouster comes as universities nationwide are grappling with student protests and free speech issues related to the Israel-Hamas war. Columbia University in New York City on Friday announced that it has suspended the groups Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace for sponsoring an unauthorized event on campus that included “threatening rhetoric and intimidation.â€