ASUO Student Senators heard proposals Wednesday that raised eyebrows and posed questions about the body’s role in campus and international politics.
Senators discussed how to address a recent Department of Public Safety audit and debated the merits of a resolution against the Iranian government’s nuclear proliferation program.
Senate Vice President Sara Hamilton said it was the Senate’s responsibility to pressure the University administration into a further investigation of poor cash handling and accounting practices by DPS, which may be missing thousands of dollars in cash, check and credit card revenue, according to an Oregon University System audit.
The University’s Business Affairs Office informed Frances Dyke, vice president for finance and administration, that DPS had missed a regular deposit, prompting her to request the audit.
Hamilton said there needs to be a more thorough investigation into the decrease in liquid asset receipts over the past three years.
“An independent audit came along, and they found just major discrepancies across the board. It was ridiculous, really, for a group that handles so much of our money to be this disorganized,” Hamilton said.
The audit could not determine why there was a decrease in cash receipts over the past three years. The Emerald reported on Jan. 17 that the decrease in funds may be the result of fewer Oregon University System employees using cash, credit or checks to purchase parking passes and more of them deducting the costs directly from payroll.
The accounting problem is fishy because the administration is “very mum” on releasing information, Hamilton said.
“They claim to be transparent, (but) they’re not interested in doing an investigation even though a lot of evidence points towards embezzlement,” she said.
The administration doesn’t want to spend the money to do a thorough investigation, she said.
“One of the best things we can do is use our voices,” Hamilton told the Senate.
The Senate will request a meeting with Dyke to get more information.
Senate Ombudsman Jared Axelrod said he will propose a resolution next week that will ask the body to take a stance against the Iranian government’s nuclear proliferation program.
Directors of the College Republicans and College Democrats support the resolution, Axelrod said.
“The president of Iran is crazy, and he’s coming up with this nuclear weapons program and stuff like that, which is threatening to Israel and American interests, as well,” Axelrod said.
Jonathan Rosenberg, director of the Jewish Student Union, brought the idea to Axelrod because he thought it would mobilize students to ask questions and take a stand along with the international community. He said several other University student governments, including the University of Alabama, have adopted similar resolutions.
Many senators were skeptical about adopting either resolution.
Senator Toby Piering, the newest member of the Senate, said more information is needed about the DPS audit and said he feared that taking a stand against Iran would offend many of his constituents.
“I know I represent some Iranian students out there that would probably disagree with this action,” Piering said.
He said the issue is very complex and doesn’t necessarily have a right or wrong answer.
“It’s a very touchy issue, and the Senate doesn’t have the knowledge, I think, to approve this kind of resolution,” he said.
Contact the Student Senate by calling 541-346-3749 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
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