The Lumberjack

Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Elizabeth Hilbig

Two weeks after walking out on President Rollin Richmond, the Associated Students officially censured him during a special meeting Wednesday. Frustrated with an administration and president they say doesn't take students seriously, drafters of this resolution hope this action would prove to university officials that students mean business.

Terra Rentz, one of six students who drafted the resolution, said the censure will provide an official stance for the general feeling of the student body at large. The resolution also called for AS create a work group to draft a no confidence resolution.

"A censure will put teeth behind the things we say," she said. "We have power and we will hold him accountable."

Despite this assertion, California State Student Association (CSSA) Representative Kintay Johnson warned AS not to be rash when passing an official condemnation that could have negative consequences for current and future students.

"[The Instructionally Related Academic fee increase and the 10 percent CSU fee increase] is a direct taxation on students," he told the council. "[You could] make that taxation a reality overnight."

Though he said he would support the council's decision, Johnson also said AS shouldn't take a stand of this magnitude without using the CSSA as a liaison between Humboldt State and the other 22 schools in the CSU system.

"We need diplomacy," he said, "we don't feel we have been heard, but we have allies."

Professional Studies Representative Brandon Hemenway said the administration's decision to forego a student referendum on the impending fee increase as well as not listening to comments made by the student committee appointed to act as a substitute for the vote dissipated whatever concerns he had before.

"Despite what [Richmond] is saying publicly, he doesn't have an interest in listening to us," he said.

In a statement issued by Public Affairs Thursday, Richmond said that despite the censure he will continue to try to lead Humboldt State through the budget crisis and the fee increases.

"Some of the decisions I am forced to make by their very nature are unpopular," he said. "I am determined to do what is needed to secure a healthy future for HSU."

Continued...

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