Grad student money misused

The Spectrum
Editorials - DECEMBER 8th, 2006
Grad student money misused
GSA is far from closing the books on gross misappropriation of funds

A $230-a-night hotel room, a $500 rental car and gas and a $84 steak dinner: This could have been the bill total for a businessman that just got his holiday bonus check or it could have been an average guy indulging himself after an unexpected raise, but in nobody's wildest dreams would it have been a Graduate Student Association officer using student money for a conference trip turned vacation.

With the resignation of the GSA president, this egregious abuse of student funds has become an exasperating reality.

At a three-day conference in Seattle, GSA President Aubrey Blacom surpassed his $500 spending allowance with fraudulent expenditures resulting in a high-class, all expenses six-day vacation which rung up the bill to nearly $2,200 dollars. He indulged at expensive restaurants making sure to tip anywhere from 20 to 50 percent; he rented a car rather than using the suggested free shuttle and went to put 809 unaccountable miles on that 2006 Chevy and then proceeded to submit all these expenses in paper work in order to get reimbursement.

Was there any thought put into this joy ride?

Despite the reasons and excuses that may be given by the officers in the coming weeks, such offenses raise quite a number of questions about the GSA and the officers that are supposed to honestly run this student organization.

When you're the president of a group, club or organization, it should be a given that you have a well-versed understanding of the policies and rules that can affect you in the job you earned. Executive board members of any club or organization do not have to have every little nuance of policy jargon from top to bottom memorized, but that member should have an understanding of the policies that he or she uses and is held responsible for.

This concept is very simple: if you are planning to go on a trip using GSA funding, wouldn't it be prudent to be versed in the process of reimbursement and what you can and cannot do with organizational funding? Looking at it from this angle, it is hard to give the president the benefit of the doubt. He was either very aware of the offenses he was committing — which means that he was unfit for such power — or he was naively unaware of the policies that directly affect him — which also means that he was unfit for such power.

Not to say that the actions of one individual should signify the character of the whole organization, but this type of situation should provoke a few questions and cause some finger pointing.

Each year most of the GSA office positions are won unopposed, sometimes to the point that they have a hard enough time just trying to fill them all, let alone filling them with worthy candidates. Although a great deal of effort would have to go into such reform, GSA may have to find a way to conquer this lack of concern and student apathy in order to get more qualified people running for positions that need hardworking, trustworthy individuals.

Some light has exposed the misdeed, but the situation is all but illuminated so far. The GSA needs to make sure that no one else is at fault. They need to dig deep with investigation to try to prevent another flagrant abuse of power, because it is definitely not the first incident of student government corruption, and it will surely not be the last either at UB.

GSA President Balcom resigns amidst misappropriation claims

The Spectrum
Campus News - DECEMBER 8th, 2006
GSA President Balcom resigns amidst misappropriation claims
REBECCA REEVES - Staff Writer

In a heated Senate meeting Wednesday night, Graduate Student Association President Aubrey Balcom, on the verge of being impeached for alleged misappropriation of funds, resigned his position.

The legislative body's actions were spurred by Balcom's recent trip to a conference in Seattle in which he spent $2,177.78 on restaurants, a hotel room and a rental car, among other expenses. The original budget for the trip was approved for only $500.

The reimbursement — $1677.78 over the original budget — was approved by Jillian Flood, GSA vice president (who also attended the conference with Balcom) and Sakeet Varma, GSA treasurer.

According to Balcom, however, the BSA executive board was not the only body to approve the increase in spending money.

"Student Life, Sub-Board, I and the e-board approved it. If there were any questions, someone would've caught it," he said.

Varma said that he regretted his decision to sign the approval.

"I do agree I made a mistake, I don't deny that," Varma said. "But it was an honest mistake. If I could do it again, I wouldn't have signed it."

Varma said he had not reviewed the supporting paperwork—bills and restaurants receipts — before signing it because there had already been an incident that day with two office members, causing him to be rushed in his decision.

"I thought that at that time, getting the paperwork done would be the wisest decision because of the tremendous pressure," Varma said. "I should have not signed it. I should have looked at the receipts, but I put a lot of trust in the president."

Receipts from the trip filed for reimbursement showed that Balcom rented a car for $434.10, plus fuel costs. Balcom also spent $988.20 on a hotel for four days, including $60 in valet parking.

"(Balcom) said he only used Orbitz.com to find a hotel, but we found 25 hotels closer (to the conference) that were only $80 a night," said Andreas Stier, a senator and Physics GSA president. "They allowed themselves to spend the money."

Flood said that she thought that if e-board made a mistake, SBI would pick it up.

"I was under the impression that if something wasn't reimbursable, Sub-Board, I wouldn't reimburse it," Flood said. "I had a receipt for chocolate and I wasn't sure if I should submit it (to Sub-Board, I), but Gena told me they wouldn't reimburse it if it wasn't related to the conference."

Gena Zimmerman, GSA office manager, declined to comment.

"There has been an obvious lack of checks and balances," said Diane Hardy, a senator. "GSA shouldn't pay for vacations."

Flood said that she is considering resigning, but because two signatures are needed for paychecks and other paperwork, she is going to stay for the time being.

"If the students want me to resign, I will," she said. "But only if the senate wants me to resign. I'm going to do what the majority wants."

Varma said at the present time, he does not plan on resigning. He and the other administrators regret the results of Balcom's actions.

Flood believed that the conference was not the only reason students wanted Balcom impeached.

"I do believe had he not made some enemies, this wouldn't be such a big deal," Flood said.

An inquiry committee has been formed to investigate further into the case.

GSA Senate Meeting Outcome

Dear members,

I am writing to inform you about the outcome of Wednesday's (December 6) Grauate Student Association Senate meeting. GSA President Aubrey Balcom has resigned at the meeting effective immediately, after being accused of embezzlement of the GSA funds.
(Please refer to the letter below, a letter which I formaly sent out to other International Club Presidents and Senators for details of the accusation of misappropriation of funds). I also have a copy of encumbrance form and receipts that were used as evidence, if anybody is interested.)

Throughout the discussion other executive board members were accused of negligence, and although no official action was taken against them (such as impeachment) a committee has been formed to further investigate the matter. GSA will continue to function as before, however, a new president will have to be elected (tentatively in the next semester), while if the formed committee finds it necessary/justified, the current executive board members will have to resign/be impeached and new ones re-elected (also next semester).

The meeting lasted for approximately two hours and sported heated argumentation.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

* * * * * * * * *
(Previous email to International Clubs)

Dear International Club committee members,

I, Sherene Cheah, President of ASEAN GSA am writing to you of a vital problem that currently exists within the GSA. It has come to my understanding that that the current GSA President, Mr. Aubrey Balcom has abused his power as President of the entire graduate student population here in UB. This abuse of power is in the form of money spending - money coming from the graduate student fee which each and everyone one of us has paid to fund departmental, clubs, organizations events, conference and research fundings as well as publication fundings.

Based on proof (funding reimbursement forms, receipts and approval submitted and approved by the current GSA committee members), it appears that Mr. Aubrey Balcom has managed to obtain a reimbursement of $2,177.78 for a 7-days conference in Seattle when the initial encumberance requests form was only appproved for the amount of $500.00. Clearly, the additional $1,677.78 which he received should have remained in the GSA account for legitimate funding requests approved by the Senate and Funding Committee.

This is one of several misappropriations made by the current GSA President.

On behalf of the ASEAN GSA, I appeal to you and your Senators who will be attending this coming Senate meeting on December 6th, 2006 to assist in bringing up this matter with the entire Senate and to help in the impeachment motion which will be put forth.

According to the GSA Consitution listed on page X = 1. Impeachment may be initiated by 2/3 vote of active senate members present (quorum vote)at a meeting; 2. Upon impeachment, a motion for removal from office shall also be considered; 3. When impeachment has been initiated, and while final action is pending, the officer mentioned in these proceedings shall lose the right to exercise any of the duties and powers associated with the mentioned office. (GSA Constitution, p.X)

Proof of documentation of the expenses made and reimbursed to Mr.Aubrey Balcom will be made available on the night of the Senate meeting itself. If you wish to obtain a copy of the expenses report prior to the Senate meeting to go through them with your committee members and Senator(s), you can contact Ms. Catalina Crespo at ccrespo2@buffalo.edu or myself at spcheah@buffalo.edu.

Please also inform your academic department senators of the issue here.

We may be a small number in the GSA organization, but together, I believe that the International Graduate Clubs can make a difference. It is important that we voice such concerns out to the entire Senate. I trust that all of you will do the right thing!

Should you have any further concern or question on this matter, please feel free to contact me at spcheah@buffalo.edu.

Sincerely,
Sherene Cheah
President,
ASEAN GSA

Jingle Jangle Jam

REMINDER!

The Third Annual Jingle Jangle Jam will be held this Friday, December 8th at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery (76 Pearl St.) from 9pm-1am. Allgraduate students are welcome. OPEN BAR!!! Live Jazz Band, Pizza, Wings& Appetizers. Tickets are available at the Sub Board Ticket Office (221 Student Union)for $7 each, $10 at the door if available. Get your tickets now, space is limited.