VOLUME 103 ISSUE 12 MAY 16, 2012 FIRST COPY OF THE CORSAIR IS FREE. EACH COPY AFTER IS 25¢
DISASSOCIATED STUDENTS
Low voter turnout, campaign misconduct, and negligence
Michael Yanow Corsair Outgoing AS officer David Stavis peeks out of the Associated Students office in the Cayton Center on May 15. Stavis, who chaired the election committee, is accused of negligence in his role.
Nathan Garownsky, Andy Riesmeyer & Henry Crumblish Editor-in-Chief, News Editor & Staff Writer Negligence, campaign misconduct and a mysteriously changing election code are some of the latest allegations that continue to plague the 2012 Associated Students election at Santa Monica College. The results announcing the new members were delayed after candidates alleged “official complaints” against each other during election week, according to the AS. While complaints are commonplace—last year there were 10 compared to the two filed this year—the circumstances are raising eyebrows about the conduct of the organization, namely the omission of bylaws restricting the endorsement of candidates. These bylaws were “mysteriously omitted,” according to presidential candidate Ernie Sevilla—who lost in last week’s race—in order to protect the candidates who may have violated them, including incoming President Parker Jean. The incoming officers including President Jean are predominantly made up of members from the “Paradigm Shift” slate, which was endorsed by outgoing president Harrison Wills. The president campaigned on behalf of Jean, who is his roommate, and appeared with him at various protests in the weeks
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More cuts to come for SMC
leading up to the election. The Corsair reported on Wills’ campaigning and endorsement of Jean, but was asked to retract it later by Benny Blaydes, the Associated Students Counselor and advisor to the Inter-Club Council. Blaydes maintained that any endorsement or campaigning on behalf of a candidate by a current officer was in violation of the election bylaws. However, at the AS meeting the week of the elections, Associate Dean of Student Life Deyna Hearn announced that bylaws were different this year, citing a new election code that omitted the prohibitive rules. Hearn appeared perplexed. “It appears it was changed at some point, I don’t know when or by who [sic],” she said. She stated that the current officers were allowed to endorse and campaign on the behalf of candidates. Sevilla alleges that at some point the code was changed by the Associated Students to protect Wills and Jean who could face disqualification if found in violation. The Corsair was able to obtain through Sevilla a copy of the original campaign bylaws before the revision was posted. Due to accusations of campaign misconduct, official results for the election were delayed for [SEE AS ON PG.3]
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Who speaks for SMC students?
$50,000 winner a cut above Michael Yanow Corsair Santa Monica College student Erdensuvd “Inga” Jargalsaikhan holds up a check after winning first place in the Junior Style Stars hair-styling competition and hair contest for cosmetology students around the nation on May 15.
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Diabetes doesn't keep Karz in the corner
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