GSA's fascistic power

When Razy Kased was removed from his position as president of Sub-Board I, Inc. back in February, he didn't know it was just the beginning. On Tuesday, April 8, Rachel Dwyer removed Kased from his position as a justice for the Student-Wide Judiciary and his voting power has been revoked from SUNY Assembly.

When The Spectrum asked for an explanation for the most recent display of unlimited Dwyer-power, GSA Vice President Gay Lynne Samsonoff delivered a letter, which is printed on this page. She wore a black T-Shirt with the phrase "Razy Kased lied in the Spectrum on 4-7-08" spelled out in bright pink letters.

Based on the actions by members of the GSA e-board, The Spectrum is calling for the resignation of the GSA President Rachel Dwyer. The power entrusted via the democratic process to Dwyer has been abused. She has surrounded herself with people with her best interests in mind, instead of the students she was elected to serve. Her actions have hurt GSA, rather than help it.

Dwyer's inappropriate action now runs twofold, as she has now removed Kased from his other positions. Fortunately, the SWJ seems unlikely to bow to her pressure.

"She removed me from SWJ, but they didn't accept her removal," Kased said. "They said that based on [my] work performance and [my] conduct, there's no reason...to have [me] removed. If [I] violated certain rules and regulations it would be warranted."

Whether Dwyer has the power to remove appointed officials from their positions has been called into question. Kased said the GSA constitution mentions appointing members, but little else.

"It doesn't say anything about her having the power to remove," Kased said. "It's a gray area in this constitution. I don't know if she's within her capacity to do so."

If Dwyer won't step down, The Spectrum suggests that a voting member of the Graduate Student Associate Senate move to impeach her. Her unethical acts in removing one of the most effect leaders on UB's student body is ground for such action. A two-thirds vote is required for impeachment.

"I think she was ineffective as a leader for a good portion of the year. She was not developing good relationship with other student governments," Kased said. "It seemed like she was only out for her own interests."

Good leaders consult others before making any decisions. Dwyer consulted no other branch of the GSA government about her decision to remove Kased. She has taken advantage of the fact that there is no legislative check on her position. By cutting the rest of the government out, she proves she only has her own interests in mind.

"By her not bringing this to light with the senators, they weren't aware that this was occurring," Kased said. "She kept them in the dark."

GSA needs a leader who will leave behind a legacy UB can respect. No more secrets. No more scandals.

"I think that she's done a lot of damage to GSA," Kased said. "It would be good for her to relinquish her abusive power of GSA President."

Dwyer and those standing behind her actions have yet to justify the abuse of power. Without sufficient evidence to back up removing an appointee from multiple positions, the public is left to assume that personal factors drove the decision.

Removing someone from office without cause or reason is unethical no matter what.