Thursday, March 5, 2009
Student body president Adam McGonigle, Wichita junior, suspended the student senate treasurer from his position Tuesday, five days before hearings that will determine distribution of $600,000 to student groups.
Alex Porte, Great Falls, Va., junior and student senate treasurer since the beginning of this year, said the hearings, which are called block allocations, were the most important responsibility of the treasurer, but now he won’t be able to attend.
pullquote
"Personally, I feel like this information was too important to the student body to let it be confidential."
— Alex Porte, Student Body Treasurer
“Block allocation — it kind of sets out really the crux of what Student Senate’s going to fund for the next two years,” said Brian Hardouin, Broomfield, Colo., law student, who sits on the finance committee.
Hardouin said this year’s block allocation hearings would be even more important than in previous years because Senate would be looking to save money in the process. He said that because Senate would not be raising any fees for next year, they must look more closely than in previous years at the distribution of funds during the block hearings.
“We always like to have more people at the hearings, especially people like Alex who know the background,” Hardouin said, referencing that Porte’s suspension would prevent him from taking part in the hearings. “I’m confident that everything will go well and we will have a successful allocation, but he will be missed.”
Porte was suspended after he released a memo to The University Daily Kansan detailing McGonigle’s recommendations regarding student fee adjustments. In the memo McGonigle recommended the fee review subcommittee eliminate the campus media and safety fees while allowing for increases to the Senate Activity Fee to finance “minimal salary increases” for senators. The campus media fee provides money to The University Daily Kansan, KUJH, KJHK, Kiosk Magazine, KUpedia and KU Filmworks. McGonigle asked that the memo be kept confidential.
“Personally, I feel like this information was too important to the student body to let it be confidential,” Porte said.
According to Student Senate Rules and Regulations, the student body president has the power to suspend or remove from office any member of the executive staff if they do not meet the job description set by the Senate. However, McGonigle would not comment on the reasons for the suspension because University regulations prohibit the discussion of personnel matters.
Porte said he was initially given the opportunity to write a letter of apology to the Senate in exchange for keeping his job. He said McGonigle did not think the letter was up to his standards, even after several edits had been made, and upheld the decision to suspend Porte. Porte can appeal the suspension up to one week after the action.
— — Edited by Chris Horn
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Comments
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
"In the memo McGonigle recommended the fee review subcommittee eliminate the campus media and safety fees while allowing for increases to the Senate Activity Fee to finance “minimal salary increases” for senators."
I feel like this is a bigger story.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
How can information exchanged between members of the student government about issues they have governance over be confidential? Can someone please explain when this is okay?
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
It isn't. Adam McGonigle is terrified of accountability. He knew that his plan was going to hurt more students than it actually helped, but since he doesn't want raising student fees as his legacy, he used this as a possible solution. Ladies and gents, your elected Student Body President at work. United Students: Their Vision, Crooked Mission.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
To connerm:
[Taken from an e-mail updating members in the Envision coalition]
"A few weeks ago, Adam asked Alex to assemble a meeting of senior members of the Finance committee so that Adam might discuss the state of Student Senate fees. Out of the members present, there were enough members of the Fee Review Subcommittee present that it could be considered a meeting of the Subcommittee. JJ Silier was initially invited to participate, but upon his arrival Adam asked him to leave. This meeting meets the criteria for a "secret" meeting under the Kansas Open Meetings Act (found here: http://www.kspress.com/img/koma.pdf), which breaks Kansas law. The purpose of this meeting was to influence the most "influential" members of the Fee Review Subcommittee without actually calling a meeting. Adam handed out a paper copy of his recommendations in this meeting, which Alex gave to the UDK upon the request of the reporter."
--If you wish to get involved in Envision, contact me (jbr00ks9@ku.edu).
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
All of these accusations back and forth are just political angling. The president had the right to request that a preliminary document be kept confidential, the treasurer had the right to defy that request, and the president then had the right to suspend him.
But I highly doubt that the sole reason put forth by Adam for eliminating Media Fee and Safety Fee is to fund salary increases. The Kansan knows that they would lose a large amount of money if the Media Fee was eliminated, so this article is heavily slanted against those who favor that proposal.
Speaking as a former Fee Review Chair, there are good reasons to eliminate those fees - for example, it makes little sense that the University shouldn't foot the bill for projects that ensure the safety of students. And the Media Fee arrangement with the Kansan essentially amounts to a pre-purchased block of advertising.
It is the job of Fee Review and Finance members (and ultimately Senate) to ensure that each fee and allocation of money is still the best use of the students' money. In past years, they have mostly been able to put aside political pressure and do an excellent job during this process, and I'm sure this year will be the same.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
What political juggling? You don't send a preliminary "draft" to half of the senate. McGonigle put out a memo increasing salaries in lieu of PUBLIC SAFETY and the UDK. That includes cutting the funding for the website we are currently posting on. He is upset because something that can hurt him and his coalition was called out.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
I believe in a previous article, McGonigle said that he had removed the goal of "increasing salaries slightly" because it later became clear that no fee increases would be acceptable.
I also find it interesting that Porte says he released this document for transparency reasons, yet did so under the cover of "off the record" secrecy. That doesn't sound very transparent and makes me wonder if there just might be something else involved...
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
We need to keep the current candidates for United Students and the NEW coalition out of this, SilverJack and jayhawk2009. They had nothing to do with the current situation. This is between Adam McGonigle and Alex Porte.
Once again, I think the Kansan and everyone posting is making a bigger deal out of this than it is.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
OK who the hell do you all think you are to run this all corruptly? None of you are professional legislators, and judging from the bickering and corruption at such a low level of government, I hope to hell none of you become professional legislators.
Jesus, people. Get along and do you damn job. At least have a working relationship. For Christ's sake, only 10 percent of the student body voted for you. It's not like you're respected leaders of the University. Just do your job and shut the hell up.
If you really need help, make it a referendum. Send us the old budget and the suggested new budget. We'll tell you yes or no. I imagine we'll actually give a damn about this vote, being that it's more than deciding between a giant douche and a turd sandwich.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
KUpeach, this is not just about Alex Porte and Adam McGonigle, this is about our government making decisions about the money we spend, and whether or not we know about it. That's like saying parties don't matter, because the new candidates don't think the same. McGonigle ran with United Students, and Porte IS running with envision, so the relevance of who is right here is not just between the two.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
This is just another example of the massive corruption and cronyism in Senate, and especially within United Students.
Can someone name one platform issue that US has actually done in the last year?
Also, to the person saying we should keep the 09 candidates out of this, that doesn't make any sense. Alex is an 09 candidate so it's highly relevant not to mention it shows US's mentality of "we don't care about students."
Transparency is an attribute of any good administration. I wish I would have been in that room so I could give them a piece of my mind.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
Also, has anyone noticed that US is completely ignoring the new elections code that they passed?
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
No thank you Jack, I will not touch this subject willingly. All I know is that I supported Adam and worked to get him elected for good reasons, and I have full confidence in him. Time to go enjoy my vacation, you guys have fun.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
Anyone? Common, I thought that was a good point!
Porte wants to be "transparent" so he releases a document "off the record." Something is missing in this story - and I have a feeling it won't help Porte when it comes out!!
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
I think that portrays Alex as more of a whistle blower, who did the right thing by informing the student body of something they should know about. Adams censorship is the lack of transparency. Alex just disclosed something to the Kansan that Adam wouldn't have.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
Alex disclosed it in secrecy. That's not transparent.
Also, did Alex discuss his "real" intention with Adam beforehand, or did he just give it to the Kansan. I suspect the latter - once again putting Porte's "transparency" story in jeopardy.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
How is taking a memo to the Kansan "disclosing in secrecy"?
Think before you type. Some of you sound like you're making YouTube comments.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
All I know is that I would want my president to tell me exactly what he is doing and hide nothing from me. McGonigle was obviously trying to hide what he was doing.
I'm going to research this some more and if he really did break Kansas law like someone said earlier, I believe that's grounds for impeachment.
I love United Students because they are constantly making themselves look bad, whether it's Hannah Love, Adam McGonigle, or Mason Heilman and May Davis. Adam's probably the best of the four and he's a pretty nice guy, but none of these people apparently believe in good governance or transparency.
Also, I would like to add that McGonigle did preside over spending almost 80% of the years budget in one semester.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
OldGoldLegs:
"How is taking a memo to the Kansan "disclosing in secrecy?"
Because he gave it to them on the condition of anonymity. Aka - off the record. Aka - something sketch is going on with Porte.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
"McGonigle did preside over spending almost 80% of the years budget in one semester" Give me a break! If he had vetoed any of those bills, you think Senate would have been OK with that!? No, they would have been pissed and 'flipped out'. Either way people who dislike McGonigle wouldn't be happy. It was Senate's job to control itself. Do NOT put the blame on one individual when there are a room full of others with just as much responsibility.
I really do believe McGonigle isn't hiding anything from us (besides, what is their to hide? he's not putting bombs in Wescoe for Pete's sake). If the wording the Kansan is using is right, then the memo was private RECOMMENDATIONS from McGonigle, not a set policy of fees.
And if US didn't care about students, why are they running? For kicks and giggles? That seems like a hell of a lot of work to put into something that you don't even care about. Instead of attacking, maybe those criticizing should stop and focus on bettering themselves instead of tearing others down. Haven't we learned these lessons from national campaigns?
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
LOUD NOISES
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
I think whoever mentioned that "US doesn't care about the students" was referring to a conception that they run on platform issues with the sole purpose of just getting elected (new pool, for example). When it came down to choosing sides between Envision or United Students, some considered which they could win with more heavily than whose platform and ethics they support more. Furthermore, I've heard of US meetings talking about "training" Fr/Soph Senators to be good Jr/Sr Senators.
Elections should be about who the candidates are and what they stand for, not how good they are at winning elections.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
"besides, what is their to hide?" -Wanting to cut safety and media to give people in senate raises
"And if US didn't care about students, why are they running?" -To win, to build their resumes, to make connections, to get gold parking passes, to get invited to eat dinner at the chancellors house, to sit in Lew Perkins' box at football games might be some reasons.
"Porte says he released this document for transparency reasons, yet did so under the cover of "off the record" secrecy. That doesn't sound very transparent" -My guess is that he didn't want McGonigle to suspend him from his job
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
shutchins11--
He gave it to the UDK on anonymity? So, you're telling me the UDK has, in this article, VIOLATED his anonymity in giving over the memo? "Porte was suspended after he released a memo to The University Daily Kansan."
The Kansan is a crappy newspaper, but they have enough integrity to not out anonymous sources. Looks to me like Porte just gave them the memo in an open an honest way. Sorry that he didn't send you a copy first, since apparently your definition of "disclosing in secrecy" has to go beyond publicly giving a memo to the newspaper in a manner in which your boss finds out.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
kupeach,
God forbid anyone in senate especially the President grow some balls and show a little responsibility!
I agree that it is senate's fault as well, but McGonigle knew the money was running out. It's called responsibility and common sense. I've really been disgusted at the "yes-man" mentality of the entire senate, including the executives.
Like it or not, senate has now dug itself a hole and to get out of it, some kind of funding is going to have to be denied or everyone in senate is going to have to explain a deficit.
Seriously, we'd all love to give money to all the students and build concrete canoes and rockets to mars and ladders to heaven, maybe build a roller coaster, but this is Student Senate. People seem to have forgotten that they're really not, and should not be, very important.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
I just thought of something. You all know who I am, because I'm not afraid of people knowing exactly what I think. Mr. Conner and Mr. Connor both use a variation of their name, but I've noticed that many other people use names that are virtually untraceable. Now why would they do this? Should anyone that's not willing to stand up for what they believe in even be in any kind of office? I say, no they shouldn't.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
TDJ, I hope your contention isn't that the main priority of United Students' leaders is to actually serve KU students. Collect a paycheck? Maybe. Network? Yes. Do a good job? Certainly not.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
To be fair, Adam is actually pretty well known both on and off campus. Just sayin'.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
DonJuan,
I'm sure that the people commenting on this article are active in senate. So, yes, most people on here should know who I am.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
OldGoldLegs,
Porte only admitted that he gave them the document once Adam (McGonigle that is) caught him.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
That's not very honest. Once again --- Porte must be hiding / lying about something.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
Hahaha, "...most people on here should know who I am."
Anchorman: I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal. People know me. Veronica: Well, I'm very happy for you. Anchorman: I'm very important
Ironic, I think.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
Jack, I have to beg to differ. I sleep quite well at night.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
I just have to say I find this a bit silly. I am just wondering where the secret tapes are? the missing 18 minutes? are people really claiming executive privileged in Senate?
As a former member of Student Senate, this story just shows that nothing has changed...but you never put it down on paper! Also you never organize a meeting. There will always be talk outside the meeting, but this is just sounds like someone tried real hard to skirt the edge of the KS OMA.
I remember election shenanigans, but it's just sad that it has found its way into the business of Senate. The disappearance of newspapers and a baseball and bat...just do not seem to live up to this. Again, why the need for a formal memo..just talk about it :)
Anyways, I am surprised by the reaction to the Kansan. Everytime that fee was potentially on the chopping block, we were told that it was a paltry portion of their total budget. Has this changed? I just suggest looking into this before claiming Kansan bias.
Overall, I just do not know why anyone is all that surprised. All news out of Senate is that they spend like drunken (enter profession here) on payday. This just seems to follow the line of silly decisions from everyone. However, I wish everyone good luck in figuring this mess out. Just remember you serve the students...I think that got lost somewhere along the line.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
I don't understand how anyone can possibly accuse Porte of acting suspicious for disclosing a would-be crime against the student body. Who cares if he did it in secrecy? Maybe he just wanted to keep his job so he could stop more crap like this from happening, because he is apparently the only one who had the guts to make the right choice.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
RLawler - do you think the decision to suspend Alex for the week of fee review was made with the best interest of KU students in mind or with politics in mind?
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
who cares. who cares?
If you pay close attention this weekend, you'll see that Block will continue without Porte. That's $600,000 in allocations that can be made without the Student Body Treasurer. Don't get me wrong, Porte has done an outstanding job in helping manage a tight budget this year: not on his own, but by working with student groups and by helping guide the finance committee. As Brian put it, "he will be missed." But by suspending Porte, Adam has only revealed how useless the Exec Staff. Most of you are involved with Student Senate. Who would miss Adam if he was suspended? Adam is being payed to be around Student Senate, and yet he does less than the Committee members who show up simply because they care.
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
Man, if there is one thing I do not miss, it is being affiliated with a coalition. This is intense. Proceed!
Senate treasurer out for finance talks
This is not about partisanship. Honesty has no ideology, but then again, neither does United Students.
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