MEChA demands resignation

Karli Cadel/Staff Photographer


Shouts of “Down with Poet” echoed around the council chamber while members of Associated Students were trying to conduct a meeting last week. The Latino student organization Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan showed up to demand the resignation of A.S. President James Poet.

MEChA members spoke during the public comment time, but when they were rebuffed by the council, a MEChA member took possession of the microphone after the public comment time had closed and interrupted the meeting. As the group left, another member twice cried out “Down with Poet,” in Spanish.

Poet was arrested by the San Diego State Police Department on Oct. 17 for allegedly driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. During the council meeting, MEChA de SDSU chair Hugo Gonzalez informed the council that his student organization had taken a vote of no confidence in Poet, and called on Poet to resign from office.

“In light of the recent arrest of Associated Student body President James Poet, MEChA at SDSU demands that he step down from his position,” Gonzalez said. “MEChA demands that A.S. council hold James Poet accountable for his actions as any other student or as he would be. MEChA bluntly expresses our discontent with his irresponsible actions.”

Poet offered to attend a MEChA meeting to speak with members about their concerns. Gonzalez made it clear that such an action was not good enough.

“I’m not only asking for you but the whole A.S. council.,” Gonzalez said. “I’m going to hold the whole A.S. council responsible and accountable for your actions.”

In a show of support for Poet, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Student Union representative Bryan Morelock, immediately proposed a vote of confidence in Poet. Other A.S. members were also quick to close ranks around Poet.
Professional Studies and Fine Arts representative Daniel Brown said that he had full confidence in Poet and that he was the best person for the position of A.S. president.

Gonzalez said that Poet was a vocal role model for SDSU’s image. After Operation Sudden Fall last semester, SDSU’s image has suffered again because of his actions.

MEChA members charged A.S. with favoritism, saying that it was not treating Poet as a normal student.

Vice President of External Affairs Daniel Osztreicher told Gonzalez to keep the debate polite.

“You asked us to have respect, so please have respect for us,” Osztreicher said. “You sound like you’re kind of talking down (to us). Let’s make sure we are on the same respect level.”

The council debated postponing any vote until more information was revealed, but Poet urged the council to not delay the matter.

“In order for me to continue, I need to know whether you guys want me to continue or not,” Poet said. “I know I have confidence in myself and I know I can still be effective in my job, but I am responsible to you guys and you guys are responsible to the student body.”

By a majority vote, A.S. approved the vote of confidence in Poet. One council member said it was important in order to “show the gallery of our school that we still have confidence in our current A.S. president.”

University President’s Designee Dr. Timothy Quinnan said that Poet was being treated as any other student. Quinnan said that the legal process was underway and being done by the book, but that the university’s findings would be confidential. He also said he did not know how long the process would take because of the number of factors involved.