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.