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Former ASUO justice must pay back stipend
Jerome Roberts transferred from the University, but kept working for the ASUO Constitution Court
by Jobetta Hedelman | Freelance Editor
Roberts, who was confirmed to the court in spring 2006, said he plans to come back to the University in the fall and would like to once again hold a seat on the court.
"I think he would be eligible to hold any position. If he is a student and he is paying the incidental fee, he is eligible to run for any elected or appointed position," Axelrod said.
Although Roberts resigned April 10, the vacancy has yet to be filled. Axelrod, who is responsible for appointing new justices, said he conducted interviews April 18 and has offered someone the position.
The new justice, along with a replacement for Justice Nick Klingensmith, who recently graduated from law school, will likely be confirmed at Wednesday's Student Senate meeting, Axelrod said.
He said the process of finding a replacement for Roberts took longer than normal because he resigned in the middle of the ASUO elections. Axelrod said he also wanted to find a time for President-elect Emily McLain and Vice President-elect Chii-San SunOwen to be involved in hiring a new justice, but they were not able to be involved.
Although the ASUO does periodically check the status of all students receiving stipends, the process is very time-consuming and can only be done during breaks when the staff has extra time, Wigen said.
"I think we're going to be looking toward a better solution to how we can work around that," she said.
The ASUO is looking into acquiring software that would make it easier to look up student status, Wigen said.
Wigen said the ASUO staff also expects that people who apply for positions within the ASUO will respect the student government and its rules. Axelrod agreed.
"Individuals need to take it upon themselves to be honest and truthful about their enrollment status and about how they're collecting the incidental fee," he said.
Chief Justice Matt Greene is responsible for ensuring payment of stipends to other court members, according the court rules and procedures.
Greene said he was unaware that Roberts was no longer a student during winter term and said he does not have the power or ability to check on the enrollment status of other justices. Anyone may call the Registrar's Office to ask if a student is currently enrolled.
Although Greene could not recall whether Roberts had participated in any rulings when he was not a student, he said only three members are required to make a ruling and Roberts would have been the fourth member on any decision he participated in.
Roberts also said he did not recall participating in any of the decisions made winter term. He recused himself from rulings regarding the rec center, where he works, and a ruling regarding the USSA trip.
Contact the campus and federal politics reporter at jhedelman@dailyemerald.com
"I think he would be eligible to hold any position. If he is a student and he is paying the incidental fee, he is eligible to run for any elected or appointed position," Axelrod said.
Although Roberts resigned April 10, the vacancy has yet to be filled. Axelrod, who is responsible for appointing new justices, said he conducted interviews April 18 and has offered someone the position.
The new justice, along with a replacement for Justice Nick Klingensmith, who recently graduated from law school, will likely be confirmed at Wednesday's Student Senate meeting, Axelrod said.
He said the process of finding a replacement for Roberts took longer than normal because he resigned in the middle of the ASUO elections. Axelrod said he also wanted to find a time for President-elect Emily McLain and Vice President-elect Chii-San SunOwen to be involved in hiring a new justice, but they were not able to be involved.
Although the ASUO does periodically check the status of all students receiving stipends, the process is very time-consuming and can only be done during breaks when the staff has extra time, Wigen said.
"I think we're going to be looking toward a better solution to how we can work around that," she said.
The ASUO is looking into acquiring software that would make it easier to look up student status, Wigen said.
Wigen said the ASUO staff also expects that people who apply for positions within the ASUO will respect the student government and its rules. Axelrod agreed.
"Individuals need to take it upon themselves to be honest and truthful about their enrollment status and about how they're collecting the incidental fee," he said.
Chief Justice Matt Greene is responsible for ensuring payment of stipends to other court members, according the court rules and procedures.
Greene said he was unaware that Roberts was no longer a student during winter term and said he does not have the power or ability to check on the enrollment status of other justices. Anyone may call the Registrar's Office to ask if a student is currently enrolled.
Although Greene could not recall whether Roberts had participated in any rulings when he was not a student, he said only three members are required to make a ruling and Roberts would have been the fourth member on any decision he participated in.
Roberts also said he did not recall participating in any of the decisions made winter term. He recused himself from rulings regarding the rec center, where he works, and a ruling regarding the USSA trip.
Contact the campus and federal politics reporter at jhedelman@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Rick Reilly
posted 5/24/07 @ 2:57 AM PST
I honestly dont think this was front page material. Most of the story consisted of personal information in a matter that was simply between Mr. Roberts and the school. (Continued…)
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