Published on Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Student body needs to know reason for CAB president-elect's dismissal

By NORTHERN STAR STAFF

A breakdown in the system.

Voting took place for the CAB executive office elections late last month with Lonnie Pollard winning the presidency over Amanda Williams. Pollard won by 72 votes.

Now, just one month later, a new election is scheduled to take place May 6 for the office seat that was filled until last week.

If not for a tip the Northern Star received, the only mention of a new race for president would have been an advertisement the Campus Activities Board placed in the Star, which ran in last Thursday’s issue.

According to Brian Hemphill, executive vice president of Student Affairs, Pollard met all the requirements to run in the race.

We now have learned that a “security issue” may be the reason Pollard was released of his future duties.

Security background checks are performed after “security sensitive positions” – like CAB president – are elected, Hemphill said.

So, basically, an election takes place with NIU students running for a paid position without the knowledge of the individual’s criminal past.

Doesn’t something seem wrong with that?

Hemphill has not been able to tell the Star directly why Pollard is no longer the CAB President for next school year, as it is a “personnel matter.”

The CAB president will be in charge of $227,949 next year, which the Student Association Senate approved Sunday.

Some of that money comes directly from student fees, which are paid to the SA each year by every student.

Not only is this not the most efficient way to complete an election, it also is costing the CAB more money to run another election.

Background checks should be performed prior to the election of a top student official.

Information regarding the election and subsequent removal of a student official-elect should be public knowledge, not a “personnel matter” between a few people.