With the impeachment trial of Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President Galen Foulke scheduled for tonight, many USG members say they are eager for a resolution.

The USG Academic Assembly initiated the im-peachment Nov. 15, making several charges that Foulke had violated the USG Constitution. To-night's trial will take place during a joint session of the assembly and the USG Senate.

A two-thirds vote of the joint session would be required to find Foulke guilty. If he is found guilty, the congress would then determine a punishment, which could include his removal from office.

Assembly President Mark Levin said impeachment is the final step to resolving semester-long disputes between the assembly and Foulke.

"This should address the concerns that the assembly has had," he said.

Foulke said last night he was "anxious and a little nervous" about the impending trial, which he said has taken his time away from other matters.

"I'm anxious to get back to work instead of focusing on this phenomenal waste of time," he said.

Levin said he hopes USG members will remain professional while evaluating the evidence at the trial.

"Don't let emotions take over," Assembly Vice President Brad Hoagland told assembly members at last night's meeting. "Go in with an open mind."

Tonight's trial will be open to the public and will include time for an open student forum, though final votes on the charges against Foulke will be completed by secret ballot.

Foulke said he has selected former USG Senate Parliamentarian Matt Midles to represent him tonight. He was unsure whether he would speak on his own behalf at any point tonight.

Shawn Gordon, who will serve as parliamentarian at the trial, said a successful conviction would lead directly to a punishment phase, which would also take place tonight.

He cautioned that speculation over the outcome might be unwise because even if the congress finds Foulke guilty, removal from office is not necessarily the punishment it would choose.

As parliamentarian, Gordon will interpret the USG Constitution and trial rules, should questions arise.

Hoagland described the trial as the "end-all, be-all" to disputes between USG branches.

"I think that USG is going to be unified," he said. "It's not all politics, regardless of what it seems."

Hoagland said he thought many students only see the emotional side of the conflict, but he hopes evidence presented tonight will highlight the assembly's rationale for the impeachment.

"It's good to get the record set straight," he said, adding that whatever decision is made tonight, the matter needs to be resolved.

Hoagland said he is confident the matter will be settled tonight.

Rules for the trial were determined by a committee with representatives from all USG branches.

The assembly's representative, Jeff Markowitz, said he foresees the trial running smoothly.

"It's an open democratic process," he said. "No one wants to go through an impeachment, [but] it's a good, fair, equal-handed setup."