ASUCD Court finds president guilty

On May 18 the ASUCD Court held a hearing for the lawsuit filed against ASUCD President Adam Thongsavat for improper hiring techniques.

Based on a 9-0-0 vote, the court has found Thongsavat guilty of violating the bylaws in regard to hiring practices and in contempt of court for not appearing at the hearing.

“The president has been found guilty of not following the laws of the association,” said Rudy Ornelas, chief court justice, in an e-mail interview. “It is important for the students whom we all work for to hold us accountable. This allows them to see what actions are transpiring in ASUCD.”

The case was based on Sabrina Dias’ complaint that during a hiring interview for City and County Affairs director, improper techniques were used that violated the bylaws for professional hiring.

“According to the bylaws, the President, along with the next highest up unit director must be present for the interview,” said Dias, outgoing Housing Day director and Outreach Assembly speaker.

The next highest unit official was Kevin Pascual. Pascual was not present for Dias’ interview, but was present for her opponents’ interviews.

The guilty verdict will require that Thongsavat redo the interviews.

“Although I have not read the language of the court’s opinion, I’m OK with their decision. I’m a really reasonable guy,” Thongsavat said.

At the court hearing, Dias was the only member present, along with Ornelas and his council.

“[Adam] had a choice whether or not he wanted to show up. I believe that he had his reasons for that,” Dias said.

Thongsavat said that he did not appear in court because he felt that the issue was blown out of proportion.

“Before the hearing took place I had agreed to redo the interviewing process and felt that going to the hearing would have been ineffective,” Thongsavat said.

Because Thongsavat failed to file a mandatory brief and refused to show for the hearing, the court has asked the ASUCD Senate to join them in censuring Thongsavat.

“I’m not quite sure what will come of this,” Ornelas said. “The ASUCD Senate heard the verdict and the order of contempt was read, but they felt it was too harsh and that President Thongsavat was not in the wrong.”

Dias hopes that this case and the attention to violations will help to ensure a strong and liable future for the association as a professionally operating organization.

“I am not bitter about the decision that was made,” Dias said. “The reason I am doing this is because I believe all hiring should be fair. We are a professional organization that handles matters far beyond our own student body and our hiring process should reflect this.”

RACHEL LEVY can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.