Attending the twice-annual SUNY delegate conferences is the least a SUNY Student Association delegate can do in his or her position. This weekend, one of UB's delegates had trouble even doing that.
Two out of the five elected officials who have votes on the SUNY SA Assembly, SA President Anthony Burgio and SUNY SA delegate Thomas Martin, did not go to this weekend's conference at a resort near Albany, a fact that has resulted in mixed reactions from the other delegates who did.
Delegate Robert Batdorf said he feels missing this weekend's conference should be the last straw for Martin, who he said has not attended any of the mandatory SA meetings or attempted to open the line of communication with the other delegates.
Batdorf said he thinks Martin should submit his resignation as a SUNY delegate, a position that is given a stipend from student money.
"Technically, that's all he has to do is go to this meeting," Batdorf said. "He is getting paid and not doing anything. He has a commitment to the students, and he is not fulfilling it."
Batdorf said since Martin and the other four delegates were elected to their positions, Martin can't be fired, but it was unclear whether there is another option if Martin refuses to resign.
"He didn't do any campaigning, didn't help with club endorsements, and he's irresponsible," Batdorf said.
Burgio, the SA president, has a vote at the Student Assembly conference along with the delegates. He did not attend the conference.
Batdorf said that other schools sent presidents and vice presidents of their student governments.
Another SUNY delegate, Russell Cox, said he did not feel it was the job of the SUNY delegates consider or suggest another delegate's resignation.
"I don't feel it's my place to ask for his resignation," Cox said. "This is a decision that should be made behind closed doors."
Batdorf agreed that the issue should be settled behind closed doors, but reiterated that Martin was not only letting his fellow delegates down, but also the student body.
According to Batdorf, Martin has been uncooperative when it comes to communicating with the other delegates. He said that Martin only notified fellow delegates the day before the conference that he would be unable to attend due to a work-related issue, which Batdorf found inexcusable.
"My main problem is with him not coming," Batdorf said. "He's wasting students money on all different types of levels, and to me, that's ridiculous.
Martin, delegate Emily Johnston, and Burgio did not return The Spectrum's calls for comment.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
