2008 Woodie Awards
Lessons learned by and from Robo's actions
Jerilyn Gashi
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Opinion
The sordid little piece of grist in our school's recent gossip mills is something like a bad farce on a Greek tragedy, and represents Jason Robo's tragic flaw. Despite his activism and involvement in his pet special-interest projects, he seems not to understand much about the real world that he, like all students, must eventually meet when we leave the sheltered nest of Humboldt State. Ashely Mackin wrote in her Mar. 12 piece that there are few who "don't know or don't have an opinion about" him, and I do have an opinion: this is a pathetic issue, but one from which, unfortunately, too many students can learn.
Robo's impeachment article, violation of job responsibility, is based on his absence from council meetings. Apparently the trouble started with two missed meetings, for both of which Robo had an alibi. Nevertheless, it does go against the A.S.'s articles, and Robo agreed to abide by house rules when he ran for office. Forgive me for stating the obvious: if he didn't want to be subject to such restrictions, he shouldn't have run. This is the burden of public service, and real life - sometimes you have to play by the rules to get things done.
Robo exhibits commendable energy in his multiple activities, but events like this call his motivation into question. Is it just possible he'd rather pad his resume than genuinely help his fellow students? Now, resume building is a perfectly legitimate motivation for anyone to do anything. Yet sadly, through poor planning, Robo has now hurt his resume more than he helped it. His actions show a lack of foresight inexcusable in a person who wishes to be active in public politics, business, or just about any job.
He knew his KRFH radio show's time in advance, so he should have considered that when agreeing to an A.S. meeting time along with the rest of the group, and he should have made arrangements earlier to prerecord, so he didn't have any "last-minute" surprises. Once that meeting time was set, he should have known better than to schedule a class to conflict. This is so obvious I'm ashamed to write it, but apparently it is not so obvious that Robo can't benefit from reading it. He is a college student, and of course class should take priority over extracurricular activities - a decision that he should have reached before signing up for so many.
Robo's impeachment article, violation of job responsibility, is based on his absence from council meetings. Apparently the trouble started with two missed meetings, for both of which Robo had an alibi. Nevertheless, it does go against the A.S.'s articles, and Robo agreed to abide by house rules when he ran for office. Forgive me for stating the obvious: if he didn't want to be subject to such restrictions, he shouldn't have run. This is the burden of public service, and real life - sometimes you have to play by the rules to get things done.
Robo exhibits commendable energy in his multiple activities, but events like this call his motivation into question. Is it just possible he'd rather pad his resume than genuinely help his fellow students? Now, resume building is a perfectly legitimate motivation for anyone to do anything. Yet sadly, through poor planning, Robo has now hurt his resume more than he helped it. His actions show a lack of foresight inexcusable in a person who wishes to be active in public politics, business, or just about any job.
He knew his KRFH radio show's time in advance, so he should have considered that when agreeing to an A.S. meeting time along with the rest of the group, and he should have made arrangements earlier to prerecord, so he didn't have any "last-minute" surprises. Once that meeting time was set, he should have known better than to schedule a class to conflict. This is so obvious I'm ashamed to write it, but apparently it is not so obvious that Robo can't benefit from reading it. He is a college student, and of course class should take priority over extracurricular activities - a decision that he should have reached before signing up for so many.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Gabe S
posted 4/03/08 @ 4:17 AM PST
Robo may have made some mistakes setting up his schedule, but how can you so blatantly insinuate that no A.S. official since 1997 (yes, it is the first impeachment in a decade!) had to miss a meeting or two with perfect alabis? As much as you and President Rentz and the administration would like to think so, this hearing was NOT based on procedural consequence, and even if it was the argument wears thin! Ms. (Continued…)
ms.taraj
Tara
posted 4/07/08 @ 6:35 PM PST
Gabe,
I find your comment very interesting in that you mention frequently what a Legislative Vice President (Jason Robo) and a President (Terra Rentz) of the HSU AS should and/or should not be doing. (Continued…)
Ashley
posted 4/07/08 @ 8:55 PM PST
Tara,
THANK YOU for such a great respone/comment. This is the FIRST I have seen that has real evidence and has doucmentation that I trust. Thanks for taking the time to look into the documents. (Continued…)
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