Date: Fri, 13 May 94 08:56 GMT
From: gwyn@thunder.indstate.edu (Thomas W. Holt Jr.)

[Anonymous Posting Info]

The following showed up on dukelgb today and after all the Barton
College comments, I thought y'all'd be interested.

> Having just learned how to interact on this system, i am attempting
> to clarify the Barton College situation.
> I am the individual that this election brouhaha has been about.  I have
> read backposts about the computer mail recently, and wish I had been
> involved directly in these missives from the beginning.  I am attempting
> to rectify this now.
> the Facts:  i ran for Student Body President at a small,
> religiously-affiliated, private southern college.  I ran on a ticket with
> three other students on a ticket that allowed us some public solidarity
> while still maintaining an ability to win independently. (elections at
> Barton are based on popularity and candidates are not able to voice their
> platforms in any formal debate). We won the election.  Results were
> posted, the results being spread by the Student Government
> Association Hotline and word of mouth. (I won by a landslide: 120 to 80.
> Granted, these aren't large numbers, but take into account how small
> Barton is and how powerful student apathy can be.  incidentally, student
> participation last year was 7% of all eligible students and 23% this
> year(46% of on-campus eligible students)
> After being elected, my newly-elected Cabinet and I were invited to an
> informal meeting to watch the current SGA Cab. at work.  We were told that
> this meeting was not mandatory,but it might be wise to attend.
> Unfortunately, only my treasurer and myself were able to attend.  At this
> meeting, Held by Bobby White (vice pres. of stud. affairs) and Kim Watson
> (SGA Advisor) this meeting was instead used to announce that 10 out of the
> 13 officers elected (class officers were also elected) were no longer
> qualified to hold their positions due to their gpa's being under a 2.5.
> Furthermore, we had 48 hrs. from the end of the mtg. to prove otherwise
> (i.e. if we had an incomplete)  The people who couldn't attend the mtg.
> (class officers had no idea it existed, since it was billed as a SGA
> Cabinet mtg.) also had this 48 deadline.  Watson said this was the current
> SGA Pres's responsibility (he should have informed them of this mtg,
> Watson said) {the class officers found out that they had been ousted by
> word of mouth and one found out by the Wilson Daily Times article.My
> secretary and V.P. found out due to my contacting them.} I asked White why the
> gpa was a factor AFTER the elections.
> He blamed Jeffrey Wilkins, elections chairman for not checking grades
> beforehand.  Wilkins stated that the constitution left room for
> interpretation.  White said the constitution was clear.  I was to have a
> gpa of a 2.5 during my tenure of office.  I said that I would by  the fall
> when I began fulfilling my duties and receiving a paycheck.  White said
> that tenure began on installation (May 25) not after.  Note:  In the past,
> all constitution interpretation has been made by the SGA Chief Justice.
> It's in the job description.  In this case, the C>J> was given two
> choices:  hold a new election or let the candidates with the closest amt.
> of votes take office.  WHITE NEVER ASKED THE CURRENT SGA CABINET FOR ANY
> INPUT.  HE MADE THIS DECISION HIMSELF W/OUT STUDENT INVOLVEMENT.  any
> thing else is a lie.  I HAVE NEVER STATED THAT I WAS INELIGIBLE FOR
> OFFICE.  I believed like many others that my gpa from the spring semester
> would be calculated in just like my hours from this semeste are allowed.
> (fact:  Hours can be counted from this semester, but not the grades.  ask
> MR. White why this is.)
> Additional facts:  My V.P., Jessica Kozma, is known for her feministic
> viewpoints and her
> campaigning for Clinton (she was our Young Dems Pres last year)  She is a
> transfer student and was told by Watson that her cumulative gpa (that of
> both schools) counted.  I realize that this is usually not the case at
> other schools, but she and Donna Owens, treasurer, were told that THEY
> WOULD COUNT.  At the mtg, however, their tune changed.  It's interesting to
> note that the constitution is as vague in defining "Cumulative"  as it is
> in defining "Tenure".  Pretty convenient, huh?  Did I mention that there
> was no secretary present during this infamous meeting?  There wasn't,
> therefore, there are no minutes either.
> Extra Additional facts:  There have been officers who have served w/out
> the "required" gpa.  In fact, the current SGA sec. did not have one this
> semester.(it is unclear if this has been the case all year)  She was
> removed from offce one day after our being informed of our
> disqualification.  I have spoken with past SGA Presidents and they have
> informed me of past instances that people have served with a low gpa due
> to the Chief Justice's interpretation of the const.  I was told that this
> would be found in the SGA Cabinet Minutes (which are public record)  These
> minutes are suddenly missing.
> Incidentally, I have worked for Bobby White.  This past year I was an aid
> to his secretary to make a little work study money. I worked about 8 hrs.
> a week, taking orders from his secretary, not him. I resigned when this
> injustice occurred.
> Recently, barton Administration sponsored a new election to fill those
> offices from which we were ousted.  I personally sponsored a new ticket
> which I believed would restore student government TO THE STUDENTS.  They
> won.  We are waiting for a new Interpretation any day now.
> I appreciate all of you who have written, called, and faxed, etc.  I feel
> that the Administration needs to know that they cannot take away the
> rights of the students to fulfill their own agendas. There is a rift
> between administration and students at this time.  Students do not feel
> that their voice matters. Much respect for the Administaration has been
> lost.  Personally, i do not have a problem with my  peers or with the
> majority of the staff and faculty here.  i have, until now, been treated
> with respect and kindness.  When I was Sophomore class president I was not
> considered to be "the wrong kind of image for Barton."  Of course, i was
> also not openly gay.
> As things stand now, i do not in any way, shape or form wish to be
> reinstated as president.  I have no wishes to work for such a
> totalitarianistic administration and I believe in the newly elected
> officers.  I do not intend to attend Barton next year and am in the
> process of searching for a school in which I am not a token.  I do
> however, believe, that I , and all the students who have been
> publicly humiliated, emotionally fatigued and spiritually tried by all of
> this, deserve a sincere, public apology.  Next year's students deserve the
> right to make their own decisions.
> I intend to continue bombarding the Administration with the voices of
> dissatisfied students and parents, that being the only group I can speak
> for.  Your continuing support in this edeavor, however you feel
> comfortable in doing so, is most appreciated.
> Sincerely, Mark Holtzman (919) 243-7805.
> internet mark.holtzman@launchpad.unc.edu (i think)
>