On Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 8:40:55 AM UTC-4, M North wrote:
This announcement should have come from the Board of Directors. Do all SSA Committees have this much authority?

The authority for these actions is with the Contest Committee, as delegated by the SSA BOD. In the case of such a serious action, the Contest Committee communicates intent to the SSA Board Chair prior to acting. SSA BOD chair communicates with Excom or full BOD as she sees appropriate.
UH
Contest Committee Chair