Petition seeks bribery judgment

In the weeks to come, undergraduates at UB will have a rare opportunity to have their voices heard by signing a very important petition. This petition calls for the opening of all formal charges and allegations made during the 2005 Student Association elections, and the forwarding of these charges to the Student-wide Judiciary. Students should realize that although the election ended last May, the allegations made against the Elevation '05 party could have seriously impacted the outcome of the election. It only makes sense that we address these matters.

Until judgment has been rendered on the election, including the criminal charge of bribery against SA Treasurer Mazin Kased, the current SA administration cannot be considered legitimate. It may seem pointless to resurrect indictments from last semester, but the fact is, if SA wants to be taken seriously as a government then it needs to start acting like one by holding its officers to higher ethical standards. If crimes were committed during the election, the parties are just as guilty now as they were last year. By ignoring these charges, the SA has shown the student body that it has no interest in justice or fair elections. The SA has failed us many times in the past as a student advocate, but even this is surprising.

Whether or not you support the SA, any undergraduate who cares about this university, or how their activity fee is spent, needs to sign this petition. And in case they're reading this letter and are curious, I'm personally asking SA President Dela Yador, SA VP Sonia Kang and SA Treasurer Mazin Kased: please sign this petition and show the students of UB that we can trust you, and that you have our best interests at heart.