An SIU-Carbondale student has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongdoing in the election for student representation on the SIU Board of Trustees.
Nolan Sharkey filed the suit Monday naming SIU-C student Jesse Cler and the entire SIU Board of Trustees as defendants. Sharkey was Cler's opponent in the April election.
Sharkey's attorney Darrell Dunham says the suit alleges Cler failed to comply with the student trustee election procedures, so his name should not have been placed on the ballot. The suit also contends the election was flawed because the SIU administration and faculty improperly influenced the process.
In addition, Sharkey alleges the SIU-C Graduate and Professional Student Council refused to certify Cler's election because the elections procedures had been violated. Sharkey's suit seeks to have him declared the winner of the election or schedule a new election. The suit also calls for any votes that Cler would cast while serving on the Board be voided.
Sharkey is seeking a preliminary injunction, prohibiting the Board of Trustees from seating Cler while the suit is pending. A date has not been set on Sharkey's request for a preliminary injunction. The SIU Board of Trustees meets Thursday in Springfield. The General Counsel's office at SIU says it has no comment at the moment because it has not been officially served with details about the suit. A message has been left with Sharkey's attorney.
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