ASMSU to hold first reading on resolution concerning student body president

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story stated the resolution alleged that President Lenny Triem’s conduct contributed to a hostile working environment for some members. The article was corrected online on April 22 to reflect the fact that the resolution stated that Triem's conduct disrespected ASMSU employees and disregarded their general welfare, but did not state that his conduct contributed to a hostile working environment. 

The Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) will hold its first reading of a resolution expressing a loss of confidence in ASMSU President Lenny Triem on Thursday, April 16.

According to Gavin Thorson, an at-large senator and sponsor of the resolution, the measure is not an article of impeachment, but rather aims to express a widely held perspective among the Senate and ASMSU employees.

The resolution, which was released on April 14, states that Triem has engaged in conduct “unbecoming of the office of the ASMSU President.” Thorson said members of the Senate have previously expressed concerns with his leadership, which the resolution characterizes as “callous and manipulative.”

“He seems to treat [ASMSU employees] more as tools to his own ends than free‑thinking people for themselves, and that I find to be quite callous,” Thorson said.

In a statement to the Exponent, Triem said the resolution came as a surprise.

“I've reached out to its sponsors because I want to understand the specific concerns they've raised in this resolution; none of them have raised their concerns with me directly,” he said. “I'm proud of what we've accomplished this year, including several new initiatives that robustly benefit the students of MSU. I look forward to the Senate's process on this and remain focused on my responsibilities through the end of my term.”

The resolution raised concerns about Triem’s previous meetings with administrators that did not include relevant Senate liaisons, which the resolution describes as a “consistent lack of regard.”

According to Thorson, the ASMSU Bylaws do not prevent the president from meeting with departments or program directors without a Senate liaison. However, he claimed the meetings violate Article XV-i of the ASMSU constitution.

This clause refers to the oath of office taken by all elected and appointed ASMSU members that states they will “do nothing which shall violate the trust imposed in the office.”

Senate Speaker Izzy Watson said constitutional interpretation is typically left to the judicial branch and rarely cited in defense of legislative resolutions. However, if Triem is in violation of XV-i, there could be a broader trust concern, according to her.

The resolution further stated that Triem's conduct disrespected ASMSU employees and disregarded their general welfare. In February, Thorson wrote a letter to Triem detailing concerns and asked that he make a public apology. Triem issued an apology to the Senate, but Thorson said problems persisted.

“I thought this was done,” Thorson said. “However, conversations that I was made aware of yesterday indicated to me that what he had given the ASMSU Senate was lip service.”

According to him, after Triem learned that a certain member of the ASMSU events team was dissatisfied with the executive team’s proposed FY27 budget, Triem asked the events director to have a different staff member speak at the Senate meeting.

According to Watson, the dissatisfied staff member had sent Triem an email with a list of talking points that they would be presenting during public comment. Watson said the talking points included “what could be considered harmful language” and Triem recommended the team should send someone who could be more respectful.

Watson said she believes that some people may have interpreted this as Triem attempting to limit public comment.

“If there are concerns about suppression of public comment, as the chair I do everything I can to make sure everyone has every opportunity to give them,” she said.

Thorson hopes this resolution will spark larger conversations about the standards for executive behavior.

“We as a body — even though he has two weeks left in this term or something like that — deserve better and that there should be at the very least a debate about how you should not tolerate this kind of conduct from the executive now or ever in the future,” he said.

Watson said it is her job to put submitted bills and resolutions to the Senate, regardless of the subject matter.

“I think if [Thorson] is saying the goal is to have a conversation, I think that conversation could have happened off of the Senate floor, but I would suspect that he probably disagrees, and he probably feels differently, and there's some reason why he thinks this needs to be public and in writing,” she said.

The first reading will take place Thursday, April 16 in the Alumni Lounge at 6 p.m., followed by a special session on Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. for the second reading and debate.