Rhyan Goodman, honors tutorial college senator and budget committee chair, resigned from his positions on Ohio University Student Senate early Tuesday morning, effective immediately.
In his resignation email, Goodman said he did not give Student Senate, its Judicial Panel, OU, media organizations and others permission to share or publicize the resignation. The Post received the resignation email through its anonymous tip form.
Goodman said in the email he no longer wishes to be part of Senate, as he believes there is a lack of transparency in its internal conversations.
Goodman did not respond to a request for comment.
On Feb. 16, former Senate Treasurer Simar Kalkat was removed from her position in a vote of no confidence. Prior to the vote, former Chief Justice Hannah Fleming read a letter submitted anonymously regarding the “Treasurer’s misconduct.”
The statement alleged Kalkat used her Senate purchasing card on a plane ticket to Austin, Texas, according to a previous Post report. Carly Leatherwood, a university spokesperson, said the charge was made to Kalkat’s card accidentally and was a mistake made by someone else, though Leatherwood could not confirm who made the error.
Senate President Becky “Eliza” Ivan — among other sources — confirmed Goodman was the person who wrote that letter.
On Sunday, the Judicial Panel notified Goodman via email that an investigation into his conduct revealed he was in violation of Article 1 of Senate’s constitution by “failing to serve and protect the rights, interests, and needs of Ohio University students.” That email also stated an impeachment trial would be held Tuesday.
“The false statements contained within the anonymous letter read during the Executive Session of February 16th, 2022 indicate an earnest effort to reduce confidence in Kalkat’s ability to act as Treasurer,” the Judicial Panel wrote in the notification email.
In notifying Goodman of the impeachment trial, the Judicial Panel cited Goodman’s coordination of Kalkat’s removal and the false statements he provided to the Panel as reasons for the trial.
"If you know that you're innocent, why would you resign right before you go to trial?” Elaina Tartal, vice president of Senate, said of Goodman’s resignation.
Goodman is challenging incumbent Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, as state representative in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 94th District.
“There needs to be consequences. If Simar is getting consequences for things that she did not do and have her name attached to it forever and have that digital footprint, where’s his?” Ivan said.
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