2008 Woodie Awards
Divided ASU Limps Forward
ASU president will try new approach with Executive Council.
Maggie Ownbey
Issue date: 4/6/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Chief Justice Igor Kagan finally voiced his opinion about Associated Student Union President Levon Bagramian, saying at Tuesday's meeting that he still lacks confidence in the leader.
"I simply have no more confidence in him," said Kagan, who read a report at the meeting. "I've stayed silent long enough. It's important."
Kagan, who lost to Bagramian in last year's election, has remained silent at ASU meetings, however he was one of seven who gave Bagramian a vote of no confidence.
Last week, Bagramian submitted a statement, read by board secretary Nydia Gasperi, claiming that the board violated Robert's Rules of Order at the previous meeting and admitted having made some errors, but blamed ASU Adviser Sherri Rodriguez for his troubles with the board.
At its mid-March meeting, the ASU Executive Board asked President Levon Bagramian to resign from office and issued a no-confidence vote. Bagramian was met with a volley of accusations ranging from ineptitude in leadership to breaking campaign promises to playing only to the 350-or-so students who elected him. Bagramian voiced frustration about an inability on the part of board members to work effectively with him.
While a vote of no confidence is a no-action vote, Bagramian has decided to not step down.
Bagramian met with Valley College President Tyree Wieder and Rodriguez about ways to respond to the board's no-confidence vote. Wieder and Rodriguez suggested two important things for Bagramian to do, number one: listen.
The second is consolatory, to help amend and remedy the problems; open his office up for members to come in to address the issues one on one.
Bagramian said the consolatory gesture means swallowing the vote of no confidence and letting members know that they are, "free to discuss [their] opinions of me."
ASU members are trying to move in a different direction, discussing the ASU's image and duties over the next few months.
"The ASU has done a lot this year but their image is not good; but they are working hard as a team on fixing it, [we want to] leave our mark." said sociology major and ASU member Asma Asif.
Some of the items the ASU is working on for the coming months include the Dean's Reception, a tsunami relief fundraiser, the fine arts festival and the 2005 ASU elections.
"Talking to students to explain the benefits of ASU is one way of keeping spirits up, said ASU Vice-President Jessie Salas. "[The election is a] pivotal event."
"I simply have no more confidence in him," said Kagan, who read a report at the meeting. "I've stayed silent long enough. It's important."
Kagan, who lost to Bagramian in last year's election, has remained silent at ASU meetings, however he was one of seven who gave Bagramian a vote of no confidence.
Last week, Bagramian submitted a statement, read by board secretary Nydia Gasperi, claiming that the board violated Robert's Rules of Order at the previous meeting and admitted having made some errors, but blamed ASU Adviser Sherri Rodriguez for his troubles with the board.
At its mid-March meeting, the ASU Executive Board asked President Levon Bagramian to resign from office and issued a no-confidence vote. Bagramian was met with a volley of accusations ranging from ineptitude in leadership to breaking campaign promises to playing only to the 350-or-so students who elected him. Bagramian voiced frustration about an inability on the part of board members to work effectively with him.
While a vote of no confidence is a no-action vote, Bagramian has decided to not step down.
Bagramian met with Valley College President Tyree Wieder and Rodriguez about ways to respond to the board's no-confidence vote. Wieder and Rodriguez suggested two important things for Bagramian to do, number one: listen.
The second is consolatory, to help amend and remedy the problems; open his office up for members to come in to address the issues one on one.
Bagramian said the consolatory gesture means swallowing the vote of no confidence and letting members know that they are, "free to discuss [their] opinions of me."
ASU members are trying to move in a different direction, discussing the ASU's image and duties over the next few months.
"The ASU has done a lot this year but their image is not good; but they are working hard as a team on fixing it, [we want to] leave our mark." said sociology major and ASU member Asma Asif.
Some of the items the ASU is working on for the coming months include the Dean's Reception, a tsunami relief fundraiser, the fine arts festival and the 2005 ASU elections.
"Talking to students to explain the benefits of ASU is one way of keeping spirits up, said ASU Vice-President Jessie Salas. "[The election is a] pivotal event."
