Rasha Elwakil has been reinstated as president of the University Park Undergraduate Association, following her removal from the role in April. The Judicial Board voted unanimously Wednesday morning that her impeachment was unconstitutional and reinstated her as president effective immediately.

Onward State confirmed the ruling through sources and received a copy of the ruling reinstating Elwakil.

“After a careful review of witness testimonies, the evidence provided, and the UPUA’s governing documents, the Judicial Board has concluded that the removal proceeding against President Rasha Elwakil was conducted in violation of §6.6 of the UPUA Bylaws and Operational Code and §11.3.1 cl. v. of the UPUA Constitution. 

Therefore, due to these significant and material constitutional and procedural violations, the Judicial Board finds the removal proceeding against the President to be null and void. The Judicial Board hereby overturns the removal of President Rasha Elwakil from the University Park Undergraduate Association. This decision reflects the Board’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the University Park Undergraduate Association’s governing documents and procedural rules, as well as ensuring fairness and equity in all its actions,” read the document.

On July 9, the Judicial Board’s attention was drawn to her removal, encouraged by the Assembly due to a vacancy of all Judicial Board seats at the time of removal.

The UPUA Bylaws and Operational Code, and UPUA Constitution state that a one-week’s notice was required prior to votes to remove Elawkil as president and that a removal proceeding of a member of the Executive Branch is not allowed to occur in the absence of a Judicial Board.

The Board found that the proceedings did not reach the requirements of the one-week notice and that no one is eligible to waive a bylaw, in response to the notion that Elwakil “waived her right” to be notified.

The Board also found that while the highest ranking member of the Judicial Board was supposed to preside over the meeting about Elwakil’s removal, no members of the Board were nominated, confirmed, or sworn it on April 23.

“Proceedings that require the presence of a specific officer, as dictated by the Constitution, cannot constitutionally occur if that officer has not been duly nominated, confirmed, and sworn in,” read the ruling.

Elawkil was sworn in as president on April 16, only to be removed a week later after three-quarters of the legislature voted to remove her in an emergency meeting. The reasoning for the removal remains unknown.

Her vice president, Fletcher Port, assumed the role of President for the following three months. Port will now go back to being vice president under Elawkil after the reversal.

After the controversial decision, Port put out a statement alongside Speaker Kat Hogan, saying, “After more than three hours of deliberation, three-quarters of the legislature found the removal of our former President Elwakil to be in the best interest of their constituents,” Port said in a statement alongside Speaker Kat Hogan. “The vote was considered with immense gravity and reflects the representatives’ integrity, values, and commitment to effective government.”

Elawkil served as UPUA’s vice president under Zion Sykes before her election. During that time, she created the Accessibility Task Force to promote a more accessible experience and environment for students. Prior to vice president, Elwakil served on the first-year council and was chair of justice.

Port had previous roles as speaker of the assembly and an at-large representative.

Elwakil and Port won a three-way race to take leadership of UPUA in April, beating their opponents by 45 votes.