Two ASI execs on probation
By Kelly Lucus and Brandon Santiago
Alcohol purchase and pledge violation lead to reprimand by Senate
Two of ASI’s executives have admitted to allowing underage drinking at the ASI leadership retreat in July.
During the retreat, ASI President Mackee M. Mason, ASI Executive Vice President Sandra Flores and other members of ASI broke the “substance free pledge” by consuming alcohol at their hotel. Some who were drinking were not of legal age. Mason and Flores didn’t stop the underage drinking.
Student fees funded the ASI retreat, which was held in Southern California.
In a letter to students delivered to The Collegian by Tara Powers-Mead, director of university affairs, Flores stated that the money used to purchase the alcohol was not from student funds.
“During the July 2008 ASI retreat, the substance free pledge was broken and underage students were involved in consuming alcohol in my presence. I did not take any action in stopping these students,” Flores said in her letter. “I recognize this was a judgment error of mine and I apologize.”
The ASI Senate reviewed the allegations Sept. 15 and then took action, which included the requirement that both Mason and Flores make a statement to fellow students admitting involvement.
Carolyn Coon, Ph.D., assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students, revealed the findings to the ASI Senate, according to Flores’ letter.
Mason submitted a letter of his own acknowledging his involvement with the drinking at the ASI retreat. “I made an error in judgment and consumed alcohol in my room,” he stated. “Some underage students also chose to consume alcohol in my presence.”
Mason also said in his letter that he purchased alcohol on two separate occasions with ASI credit cards.
On the first occasion — June 13 in Southern California, before the retreat — Mason said in his letter that a meal with two fellow student leaders included the purchase of two alcoholic beverages. Mason said an ASI officer from CSU Fullerton and one ASI officer from Fresno State ordered the drinks. Mason said that, to his knowledge, the CSU Fullerton officer paid for the drinks separately at the bar.
Mason stated that he was unaware that the charge to his credit card included the drinks. However, he admitted to signing the receipt.
“That was an oversight, a mischarge, a mistake for which I take responsibility because I mistakenly signed the receipt without thorough review,” Mason said in his letter.
On the second occasion, another business meal was placed on Mason’s ASI credit card for $20. He said there was a large group at this meeting in June and the bill was split evenly among attendees. Mason said that some students ordered alcohol, which showed up on his receipt.
He again denied the knowledge of purchasing alcohol on his ASI credit card.
“I did not consume or intend to purchase any alcoholic beverages,” Mason said in his letter. “It was revealed to me last Thursday by Dr. Coon that the receipt for the entire group included some alcoholic beverages.”
In a telephone interview with The Collegian late Tuesday evening, ASI Executive Director Annie Tremp said that she voiced her concern about the alcohol use early on.
Tremp told The Collegian that, to her knowledge, the only time alcohol was purchased using the ASI credit card was during the Fullerton trip and not on the ASI retreat.
“Mason couldn’t provide justification for why alcohol was purchased,” Tremp said.
Tremp told The Collegian she had many concerns about Mason.
“I started getting gut feelings and seeing red flags when he wasn’t turning in receipts or writing full justifications for using ASI funds for certain purchases,” Tremp said. “But when I was approached by another staff member saying that Mason and Flores had purchased alcohol for others during the retreat, I voiced my concerns to Carolyn Coon and Deborah Astone.”
Deborah Adishian-Astone is the associate vice president for auxiliary operations.
Tremp said she was assured that Coon and Adishian-Astone would examine all of Mason’s and Flores’ receipts and purchases.
Tremp claims that Mason worked to discredit her in order to keep the situation under wraps.
“I reported the misuse and the next thing I knew, Mackee shut down the office for a week and I was being investigated,” Tremp said.
The Collegian could not reach Mason for comment late Tuesday.
According to Tremp, Adishian-Astone put Tremp on paid administrative leave at Mason’s discretion. Tremp said she might lose her position.
Tremp told The Collegian that she is no longer on paid leave and has been given an ultimatum. “Basically, it’s either I take the severance package they are now offering me or else I get fired,” Tremp said.
On Sept. 8, The Collegian requested documents regarding the retreat and related issues. The Collegian issued a formal follow-up letter Sept. 12 for the ASI retreat itinerary, executive credit card statements and expense forms for June 1 through Aug. 31.
The Collegian has not yet received the documents. Powers-Mead informed The Collegian that these documents are being compiled. She said approval for the release of the documents is waiting on ASI supervisors and ASI lawyers.
In their letters, both Mason and Flores said that they take full responsibility for their actions and will cooperate with Senate’s decision.
Late Tuesday, The Collegian spoke with ASI Senator Graham Wahlberg, senator of the college of engineering, and Lauren Johnson, vice president of finance.
The ASI Senate decided to place Mason and Flores on probation for the remainder of their terms, Johnson and Wahlberg separately confirmed.
Wahlberg said the decision passed 10-0. As an executive, Johnson did not vote.
“Following an explanation of the allegations by those accused, we put President Mason and Executive Vice President Flores on probation, which is to last the remainder of their terms,” Wahlberg told The Collegian.
According to the decision, the ASI Senate can change the probationary period, pending review by the Senate, both Wahlberg and Johnson said.
“Anything deemed inappropriate by the ASI Senate will result in immediate removal from office,” Johnson said.
Wahlberg said that the decision included freezing the credit card accounts of Mason and Flores. He said that Mason would have to repay all alcohol-related charges to the ASI credit card.
Paul Oliaro, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs, said in a phone interview with The Collegian on Tuesday afternoon that his concern was with the Senate and the way they handled the situation.
“ASI Senate has done a careful and thoughtful review of the situation involving the president and vice president,” Oliaro said. “I was concerned of the procedure being fair and careful, and they have done it.”
The Collegian left multiple phone and e-mail messages for Gary Nelson, student activities adviser, and Coon regarding the issue. The messages were not returned.
Additional reporting by Mathew Gomes.
Correction
A story on Page 1 of the Sept. 17 Collegian needed clarification on ASI Executive Vice President Sandra Flores’ involvement in the ASI leadership retreat. Flores said in her letter to students: “During the July 2008 ASI Retreat, the substance free pledge was broken and underage students were involved in consuming alcohol in my presence.”
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What does that mean? “Other leadership entities really agree and like ASI…”. It seems that that really speaks to specific individuals who may be or were in office in ASI at the time, which reflects upon personnel, not the aims of ASI as an organization that is run for the sole purpose of helping students.
And maybe “no one” cares to vote during ASI elections because “no one” cares to vote in elections, in general. I don’t think that because there is low voter turnout that that means that ASI is some pointless organization.
oops, insert “don’t” in between “entities” and “really” in the previous comment. Sorry.
oops, insert “don’t” in between “entities” and “really” in the previous comment. Sorry.
oops, insert “don’t” in between “entities” and “really” in the previous comment. Sorry.
everyone is so tough behind a keyboard, when it was time to step up, who did? The person who got second place and annie’s husband? Really, don’t act all earlier than thou, it was 20 bucks and a mistake, and now the collegian is going to make it into two day news, using Mackee as a source to sell free papers!
No one trusts the collegian anyway, if they write another story it shows.thAt the collegian is a tabloid, who no one trusts other than annie’s 22 y/of husband and second place and fraternity haters!
everyone is so tough behind a keyboard, when it was time to step up, who did? The person who got second place and annie’s husband? Really, don’t act all earlier than thou, it was 20 bucks and a mistake, and now the collegian is going to make it into two day news, using Mackee as a source to sell free papers!
No one trusts the collegian anyway, if they write another story it shows.thAt the collegian is a tabloid, who no one trusts other than annie’s 22 y/of husband and second place and fraternity haters!
everyone is so tough behind a keyboard, when it was time to step up, who did? The person who got second place and annie’s husband? Really, don’t act all earlier than thou, it was 20 bucks and a mistake, and now the collegian is going to make it into two day news, using Mackee as a source to sell free papers!
No one trusts the collegian anyway, if they write another story it shows.thAt the collegian is a tabloid, who no one trusts other than annie’s 22 y/of husband and second place and fraternity haters!
Mexican Strippers? That would be cool.
Whomever said “principals” referring to $2 or $20 or $2K … one day you’ll learn to laugh at the concept of “principals.” I’m an idealist living in a world of people, the majority of whom have compromised their principals. Any of you complaining on this premise … the question to pose to any of you … can you hold true, or will you look back on this one day and laugh, or look back one day realizing the reality of the situation?
$20 is petty. The “principal” of the issue is in question. Beyond that … calls for resignation for something not as egregious as hiring Mexican Strippers and paying for it with student money (when we can hold our own wet-T-shirt contest) is kind of just as petty.
So if we’re going to be petty: let me point something out: I’ve been disciplined, chastised and fired from work environment for trying to hold up high standards, acting petty about these issues, and generally being more competent to “see” thinks like this, on their face, for what they are, and point them out. So if you think the world of “principles” is real … consider the competence of the overall population first (those who would be offended rather than seriously contemplate this question deserve more scrutiny than the rest). And in the end, if you can hold true … you know your a better person … but this is not the case, and most people just roll-over and forget, or have something negative to say about you after you’re gone, and after holding up what’s right and true. Seriously. Kind of sad. And you may wonder why I have this to say, of all things.
Mexican Strippers? That would be cool.
Whomever said “principals” referring to $2 or $20 or $2K … one day you’ll learn to laugh at the concept of “principals.” I’m an idealist living in a world of people, the majority of whom have compromised their principals. Any of you complaining on this premise … the question to pose to any of you … can you hold true, or will you look back on this one day and laugh, or look back one day realizing the reality of the situation?
$20 is petty. The “principal” of the issue is in question. Beyond that … calls for resignation for something not as egregious as hiring Mexican Strippers and paying for it with student money (when we can hold our own wet-T-shirt contest) is kind of just as petty.
So if we’re going to be petty: let me point something out: I’ve been disciplined, chastised and fired from work environment for trying to hold up high standards, acting petty about these issues, and generally being more competent to “see” thinks like this, on their face, for what they are, and point them out. So if you think the world of “principles” is real … consider the competence of the overall population first (those who would be offended rather than seriously contemplate this question deserve more scrutiny than the rest). And in the end, if you can hold true … you know your a better person … but this is not the case, and most people just roll-over and forget, or have something negative to say about you after you’re gone, and after holding up what’s right and true. Seriously. Kind of sad. And you may wonder why I have this to say, of all things.
Mexican Strippers? That would be cool.
Whomever said “principals” referring to $2 or $20 or $2K … one day you’ll learn to laugh at the concept of “principals.” I’m an idealist living in a world of people, the majority of whom have compromised their principals. Any of you complaining on this premise … the question to pose to any of you … can you hold true, or will you look back on this one day and laugh, or look back one day realizing the reality of the situation?
$20 is petty. The “principal” of the issue is in question. Beyond that … calls for resignation for something not as egregious as hiring Mexican Strippers and paying for it with student money (when we can hold our own wet-T-shirt contest) is kind of just as petty.
So if we’re going to be petty: let me point something out: I’ve been disciplined, chastised and fired from work environment for trying to hold up high standards, acting petty about these issues, and generally being more competent to “see” thinks like this, on their face, for what they are, and point them out. So if you think the world of “principles” is real … consider the competence of the overall population first (those who would be offended rather than seriously contemplate this question deserve more scrutiny than the rest). And in the end, if you can hold true … you know your a better person … but this is not the case, and most people just roll-over and forget, or have something negative to say about you after you’re gone, and after holding up what’s right and true. Seriously. Kind of sad. And you may wonder why I have this to say, of all things.
Just to be clear…
PRINCIPLE
1. an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct: a person of good moral principles.
2. a fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived: the principles of modern physics.
3. a fundamental doctrine or tenet; a distinctive ruling opinion: the principles of the Stoics.
4. principles, a personal or specific basis of conduct or management: to adhere to one’s principles; a kindergarten run on modern principles.
5. guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right conduct: a person of principle.
6. an adopted rule or method for application in action: a working principle for general use.
7. a rule or law exemplified in natural phenomena, the construction or operation of a machine, the working of a system, or the like: the principle of capillary attraction.
8. the method of formation, operation, or procedure exhibited in a given case: a community organized on the patriarchal principle.
9. a determining characteristic of something; essential quality.
10. an originating or actuating agency or force: growth is the principle of life.
PRINCIPAL
1. first or highest in rank, importance, value, etc.; chief; foremost.
2. of, of the nature of, or constituting principal or capital: a principal investment.
3. Geometry. (of an axis of a conic) passing through the foci.
–noun
4. a chief or head.
5. the head or director of a school or, esp. in England, a college.
6. a person who takes a leading part in any activity, as a play; chief actor or doer.
7. the first player of a division of instruments in an orchestra (excepting the leader of the first violins).
8. something of principal or chief importance.
9. Law.
a. a person who authorizes another, as an agent, to represent him or her.
b. a person directly responsible for a crime, either as an actual perpetrator or as an abettor present at its commission. Compare accessory (def. 3).
10. a person primarily liable for an obligation, in contrast with an endorser, or the like.
11. the main body of an estate, or the like, as distinguished from income.
12. Finance. a capital sum, as distinguished from interest or profit.
13. Music.
a. an organ stop.
b. the subject of a fugue.
14. (in a framed structure) a member, as a truss, upon which adjacent or similar members depend for support or reinforcement.
15. each of the combatants in a duel, as distinguished from the seconds.
Just to be clear…
PRINCIPLE
1. an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct: a person of good moral principles.
2. a fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived: the principles of modern physics.
3. a fundamental doctrine or tenet; a distinctive ruling opinion: the principles of the Stoics.
4. principles, a personal or specific basis of conduct or management: to adhere to one’s principles; a kindergarten run on modern principles.
5. guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right conduct: a person of principle.
6. an adopted rule or method for application in action: a working principle for general use.
7. a rule or law exemplified in natural phenomena, the construction or operation of a machine, the working of a system, or the like: the principle of capillary attraction.
8. the method of formation, operation, or procedure exhibited in a given case: a community organized on the patriarchal principle.
9. a determining characteristic of something; essential quality.
10. an originating or actuating agency or force: growth is the principle of life.
PRINCIPAL
1. first or highest in rank, importance, value, etc.; chief; foremost.
2. of, of the nature of, or constituting principal or capital: a principal investment.
3. Geometry. (of an axis of a conic) passing through the foci.
–noun
4. a chief or head.
5. the head or director of a school or, esp. in England, a college.
6. a person who takes a leading part in any activity, as a play; chief actor or doer.
7. the first player of a division of instruments in an orchestra (excepting the leader of the first violins).
8. something of principal or chief importance.
9. Law.
a. a person who authorizes another, as an agent, to represent him or her.
b. a person directly responsible for a crime, either as an actual perpetrator or as an abettor present at its commission. Compare accessory (def. 3).
10. a person primarily liable for an obligation, in contrast with an endorser, or the like.
11. the main body of an estate, or the like, as distinguished from income.
12. Finance. a capital sum, as distinguished from interest or profit.
13. Music.
a. an organ stop.
b. the subject of a fugue.
14. (in a framed structure) a member, as a truss, upon which adjacent or similar members depend for support or reinforcement.
15. each of the combatants in a duel, as distinguished from the seconds.
Just to be clear…
PRINCIPLE
1. an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct: a person of good moral principles.
2. a fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived: the principles of modern physics.
3. a fundamental doctrine or tenet; a distinctive ruling opinion: the principles of the Stoics.
4. principles, a personal or specific basis of conduct or management: to adhere to one’s principles; a kindergarten run on modern principles.
5. guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right conduct: a person of principle.
6. an adopted rule or method for application in action: a working principle for general use.
7. a rule or law exemplified in natural phenomena, the construction or operation of a machine, the working of a system, or the like: the principle of capillary attraction.
8. the method of formation, operation, or procedure exhibited in a given case: a community organized on the patriarchal principle.
9. a determining characteristic of something; essential quality.
10. an originating or actuating agency or force: growth is the principle of life.
PRINCIPAL
1. first or highest in rank, importance, value, etc.; chief; foremost.
2. of, of the nature of, or constituting principal or capital: a principal investment.
3. Geometry. (of an axis of a conic) passing through the foci.
–noun
4. a chief or head.
5. the head or director of a school or, esp. in England, a college.
6. a person who takes a leading part in any activity, as a play; chief actor or doer.
7. the first player of a division of instruments in an orchestra (excepting the leader of the first violins).
8. something of principal or chief importance.
9. Law.
a. a person who authorizes another, as an agent, to represent him or her.
b. a person directly responsible for a crime, either as an actual perpetrator or as an abettor present at its commission. Compare accessory (def. 3).
10. a person primarily liable for an obligation, in contrast with an endorser, or the like.
11. the main body of an estate, or the like, as distinguished from income.
12. Finance. a capital sum, as distinguished from interest or profit.
13. Music.
a. an organ stop.
b. the subject of a fugue.
14. (in a framed structure) a member, as a truss, upon which adjacent or similar members depend for support or reinforcement.
15. each of the combatants in a duel, as distinguished from the seconds.