Ortiz impeachment withdrawn

A Feb. 18 impeachment petition against USG comptroller Jason Ortiz was withdrawn Saturday, Feb. 28, after Mary Lorenz, the multicultural and diversity senator who filed the petition, decided that resolving her concerns through other channels would be more appropriate.

Originally, Lorenz pushed for an impeachment on the grounds that Ortiz had a bias against non-academic student clubs after comments he made at a Feb. 4 meeting. She argued this bias fell under the definition of discrimination, which is against the university policy he is obliged to follow. After Ortiz attempted to veto a $12,000 funding request from the paintball club, Lorenz filed for impeachment the morning before Ortiz's veto was overturned by the senate.

Ortiz, who has been considering running for USG president next year, maintains that his comments were meant to protest the light scrutiny some clubs like paintball receive while other groups - like those organizing charitable alternative breaks - were heavily examined. He also says that his paintball veto was an attempt to curb what he saw as frivolous spending in tough economic times.

Lorenz said her withdrawal was informed by several factors, including advice from senators and students, the fear of harmful