Suffolk’s Student Government Association announced the resignation of Vice President Kayleigh Carey, as well as her removal from the electoral SGA ballot, in an email March 2.
Carey was running for re-election for vice president when a video began circulating on social media platforms like Fizz Feb. 26, showing her lip syncing to a song that uses the N-word.
As the video gained views from the student body, organizations like the Trifecta, which includes the Black Student Union, African Student Association and Caribbean Student Network, addressed the situation considering the video used a derogatory slur towards the Black community. Suffolk University’s Amplify Association also provided a statement on the situation and emphasized its work uplifting and supporting Black students and the Black community in the Greater Boston area. All of the groups posted official statements on official Instagram pages Feb. 28.
“Incidents like this are too often minimized or reframed as ‘miscalculations’ only after someone is caught,” the Trifecta wrote in their statement. “For Black students and organizations on this campus, these moments are not rare. They are harmful, exhausting, and damaging to the sense of belonging we work hard to build.”
In a conversation with The Journal, SGA President Charlie Reyna-Demes said that SGA’s main goal is accountability.
“At the end of all of this, accountability is being taken and that moving forward, we are not going to be accepting hate in any form,” said Reyna-Demes.
The email with the subject line “A message from the Student Government Association” was sent out to the student body 11 minutes before the opening of voting for SGA executive board positions Monday morning. The content included a statement from SGA, a message from senior Divinety Johnson who serves as Diversity Senator-at-Large and Chair of the Diversity Committee and a statement from President Charlie Reyna-Demes.
In her statement, Johnson emphasized that in her roles and all members and senators of SGA, do not condone this behavior.
“On behalf of the Diversity Committee, we acknowledge the disappointment, pain, and frustration many students feel. You deserve a place where you can feel affirmed and seen; your feelings deserve respect. We value accountability, equity, and inclusion, and are committed to continuing to advocate these values for all students at Suffolk,” Johnson said in her statement.
Moving forward, vice chair of the Student Judiciary Review Board, Julia Karwacki, will be assuming the role of SGA vice president while the e-board reviews their constitution to see what the proper steps are to fill the position for the remainder of the academic year. Karwacki was elected to the SJRB by the senate in September.
In another statement released on Instagram March 3, the Trifecta organizations called out how SGA had been handling the situation. While the organizations acknowledged the importance of Carey’s resignation, they said SGA leadership remains flawed.
“Addressing one individual does not resolve the larger issue. President Charles Reyna-Demes remains part of the problem,” the statement said. “Leadership requires more than holding a title. It requires responsibility, transparency, and genuine empathy for the students you represent.”
Suffolk President Marisa Kelly sent an email statement to the student body March 3 condemning the use of racial slurs and in support of actions that SGA and other student organizations have made since.
“We recognize the harm and pain that the use of this word causes for many in our community. We are also deeply appreciative of the leadership that student organizations have shown in speaking out on this matter, including the Diversity Committee of the undergraduate Student Government Association,” Kelly said in the statement.
Carey did not respond to The Journal’s request for comment, however Reyna-Demes said that he believes she is taking on the accountability for her actions.
“Kayleigh immediately understood the ramifications of her position and how her role represents the students,” said Reyna-Demes. “She took it upon herself to start the conversation of making sure that we were able to transition properly from her resignation.”
The national Theta Phi Alpha organization released a statement about the situation March 2. Carey became a member of Suffolk’s chapter of the sorority her freshman year.
“We take matters that impact dignity and respect seriously and are following our established conduct process in coordination with the university,” the statement said.
Reyna-Demes said that SGA will always lead with the motto “by the students, for the students.” He said that although being “by the students” can be easier, this is a time he will be pushing to be “for the students.”
“To be by the students, that means you have to make sure that you follow their direction at all times, not just in our elections. We will continue to strive for this policy and we will continue to fight for what is right for our student body. And this was a big test of that and we are making sure that we are following that test properly and we’re doing it right.”
During the weekly SGA meeting this Thursday, Carey’s official resignation letter will be read.
This story has been updated to include more public statements made by organizations affiliated with the university and the situation at hand.
