Grounds for removal

To the Editor:

The Student Party platform, on which the current SA President Hassan Farah campaigned, called for access, experience and accountability within the Student Association. Hassan has failed to live up to his own vision of how a student leader should act by not taking responsibility in any substantial way for his actions.

What Hassan did (I'll spare you another summary of the incident as I'm sure it is adequately explained elsewhere in today's issue) is unquestionably an offense worthy of removal from office. This is not a value judgment and there is no grey area. Hassan committed an illegal act while acting in his official capacities as the president of SA which is grounds for removal under Article IX Section 1 of the Student Association Constitution. The only defense he could muster up was that a racial slur was used by the victim (the orientation aide), a claim that has not been substantiated, nor would it matter; words are not grounds for assault. This claim is likely another example of Hassan attempting to justify his unacceptable action. He does not deny striking the victim but has done everything in his power to make up excuses, claiming that a racial slur was used and that it was out of character for him, in an effort to avoid accountability.

Petitions are being circulated around campus that call for Hassan's removal from office. Not only are concerned students involved, but Hassan's former Student Party running mates and fellow executive board members Jordan Fried and Ernesto Alvarado have taken an active role. Our Treasurer and Vice President have lived up to Hassan's call for accountability in SA. These two students have proven themselves as leaders and set into motion the petition to recall Hassan instead of sitting idly by as this unfolds. It is my hope that The Spectrum will also endorse this petition despite having supported Hassan in last semester's election. It is also my hope that the student body will sign this petition with minimal delay to ensure there is enough time to hold new elections.

The proper course of action would have been a prompt resignation, an acknowledgment that he failed in his constitutional duties as president, failed to represent the student body in a professional manner, and failed to live up to his own call for accountability. We can rest assured that this determined group of students will not fail to gather the 3,000 or so signatures needed to initiate recall proceedings against Hassan. I only have one request of this group; when you only need a single additional signature, give Hassan one more chance to make things right and offer him the opportunity to be the final name on the petition. Perhaps finally at that moment he will practice what he preaches and hold himself accountable.

Sincerely,

Mark Boonshoft

Senior History Major