The ASWSU Senate met Wednesday to discuss several topics, including ethics violations.
The Judicial Board found two senators, Taryn Beck and Cassidy Collins, in violation of the ethics title of the ASWSU bylaws, according to an earlier Daily Evergreen article.
Beck was accused of making comments to a friend during an in-person ASWSU meeting that violated the ethics title. During Wednesday’s ASWSU meeting, Beck apologized to the Senate but professed the claims were untrue.
“It was not my intention to bring any of this to [the] Senate,” Beck said. “I understand something I did not say has come across to [the] Senate and I’m truly sorry that this accusation has caused anyone hurt.”
Beck aims to be more careful in the future about statements made and will focus on keeping her professional life separate from her personal life.
“I will be more mindful about my professional relationships running over my personal ones in the future,” she said. “Some of what is being thrown around about me is coming from people who I have never spoken to. Let’s change that. I would love to get to know anyone who would like to know me and my character.”
Collins was found in violation of ethics after comments she made during an ASWSU Zoom meeting.
Collins also addressed the Senate during Wednesday’s meeting to apologize for her comments.
“I would like to acknowledge I regret a statement that I made during an ASWSU meeting last year,” Collins said.
In the Zoom meeting, Collins made a comment that she did not want to be in the meeting.
“My intentions were not to denigrate this body or to offend any members of it,” Collins said. “At the time, something traumatic happened in my life where I lost someone who was very close to me.”
Collins also addressed accusations from an earlier Judiciary Board meeting that she had used vulgar language.
“That did not happen. I don’t cuss due to my moral convictions. There were also many other insinuations that attacked my character during this investigation that were concluded to be unfounded or false by the Judiciary Board,” Collins said. “I hold my character in the highest regard. I treat people with the same dignity and respect that I expect to receive. I do not treat people differently based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender or ideologies.”
Collins concluded by thanking the Senate once more for the opportunity to address the issue.
“I look forward to serving with the Washington State University community as an ASWSU senator and I look forward to working with each and every one of you going forward,” she said. “Thank you again for this opportunity and Go Cougs.”