Reginald Bates, Student Association vice president, said he plans to continue performing his duties “for the good of the student body” after being found not guilty of neglect of duty.

Bates was charged on Nov. 8 with neglect of duty based upon eight specifications, including approval of organizations with discriminatory policies, uncompleted updates, allowing non-executive students to write updates ignoring Senate leadership communication and perjury, according to the petition for removal. The petition was signed by 10 SA Senators, whose names the SA refuses to release.

The voting, on Nov. 22, was held in a nine-hour closed meeting where the eight charges were reduced to seven due to redundancy, according to an SA news release. Voting took place on each of the seven specifications and resulted in Bates being found guilty on two of them; however, he was exonerated after being found not guilty of neglect of duty in a 14-21-5 vote.

Bates will remain in office and perform his assigned duties, according to the SA.

“I would have liked more conversation beforehand,” Bates said. “We could have avoided this whole issue.”

The SA Senate intends to respect the outcome of the hearing’s verdict and will continue to work together to ensure an effective NIU student government, according to the SA.

“It is so important that students hold their officers and senators accountable and that they continue to do so,” Bates said. “I am grateful for the support I received during this time, and I would like to thank those that voted not guilty.”