Sen. Mercedes White Calf, confirmed Wednesday to the Programs Finance Committee Seat, was appointed by the Executive despite knowledge of her criminal record.
White Calf was convicted of theft in the first degree last fall, for an incident that happened on July 27, 2008. White Calf, along with two friends, were charged with shoplifting from various boutiques in Fifth Street Public Market and Valley River Center.
She finished 40 hours of community service and is currently paying back the $1,126 worth of merchandise she and two friends stole in $30 monthly increments.
“As far as the theft case goes, it’s closed now and I have put that far behind me. It doesn’t represent who I am in any way,” White Calf said. “A lot of horrible things were said about me in the media, and it hurt to read and hear about it. However, I took that event and decided not to let it overshadow the potential I have. It also taught me that we are all given second chances in life and I have the ability to decide how my future manifests.”
Senate received White Calf on Wednesday night with an overwhelming approval. In a confirmation vote of 15-0, White Calf filled the void of Senate Seat 1, previously occupied by Jessica Jones, who resigned earlier this year because of a week-long illness that left her questioning her commitment to the position.
ASUO Vice President Getachew Kassa headed the hiring of White Calf and was aware of her convictions, yet he did not ask her about it during the hiring process, nor did he bring it to the attention of the hiring committee.
“We never ask for that in the past, so to stay consistent for all other interview procedures we just thought it would be unfair to ask this one person about their criminal record when we don’t ask anybody else,” Kassa said. “We don’t actively go out and seek criminal records.”
Kassa said he didn’t think the information pertained to her ability to be a good senator.
“I don’t think that anything she has done in her past in regards to that will affect her ability to execute her duties in her position,” he said, adding that Senate didn’t address her criminal history.
Kassa was impressed by her application, which included two recommendations from two professors and a plan for how she would best execute her position.
“What we got from it is that she’s really going to be committed to this, and so with all the resignations, we really wanted someone who was committed,” he said.
White Calf, an ethnic studies major, had originally applied for Seat 14, which represents her academic focus, but was appointed to Seat 1, Programs Finance Committee.
Kassa said he thought she was more qualified for the PFC seat.
“We just thought that she would do justice in that position; her qualifications pointed us more towards that,” he said.
White Calf is involved in the Black Student Union, the Native American Student Union and the Forensics Debate and Speech team. She was also awarded the Millennium scholarship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Her involvement in three different programs, which is more than the average applicant, was proof of her investment, Kassa said.
White Calf said that she is happy for the challenge that Seat 1 provides and looks forward to working with the new group.
“It was the best thing that could have happened. I love the committee I work with, and I am excited to work with my fellow senators,” she said. “Senate Seat 1 is a hard seat to fill, but it requires dedication, passion and decision-making skills that will bring out the best in me.”
Kassa knows White Calf from their participation in the Black Student Union.
“The best way to describe Mercedes is that she is the kind of person that, when she gets committed to something, then she will put all of her effort into what she is committed to,” he said.
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New Senate appointee moves past controversy
Daily Emerald
November 12, 2009
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