UC Splits Over Failed Recall Bid

In the wake of a failed bid to recall Undergraduate Council Vice President Joshua D. Liston '95, council members remain divided about the results of the vote and its ramifications.

Delegates yesterday blasted Liston, each other and the council for both the recall effort and its failure.

The motion for recall was made Sunday because Liston did not record 33 absence submitted to him by the student affairs committee and neglected to expel six delegates with excessive absences.

Failure to enforce the attendance policy may be grounds for recall of the vice president, according to the council by-laws.

Liston admitted Sunday that "mistakes were made" in enforcement, and expelled five members on the spot. Those removed include former Chair Michael P. Beys '94, Danielle D. Do' 94, Mark R. Kozek '94, Gregory J. Davis'94-'96 and Bradford E. Miller '97.

Member Christopher J. Garofalo '94 then made amotion for the recall of the sixth council member,Demetrice G. Spiliotis '96, who had been expelledon April 24 but reinstated.

Simultaneously, Garofalo Motioned for Liston'srecall, which later failed 23-28. Those upset atthe failed recall believe the council shirked itsresponsibilities .

"There are 28 council members who should haveresigned [Sunday] because they don't respect thecouncil or they can't read the by-laws," themember said.

Another member said the delegates voted againstthe recall because they like Liston personally.

"There were 23 people who based [theirdecision] on the evidence and 28 people who basedin on Liston's] personality," the member said.

Treasurer Jamila A. Braswell '95 said thecouncil knew when it chose Liston that it was notelecting a vice president who would strictlyattend to the details of the office.

"Yes, we need to discipline someone when theydon't fulfill their duties, but you have to aboutthat when you elect someone," Braswell said.

But Braswell, who ran against Liston inFebruary, said the council actually set a goodprecedent by bringing up recall charges.

"You can't get away with not" fulfilling theduties of the office Braswell said, "becauseyou'll be brought up on charges."

Braswell added that all vice presidents fromnow on, including Liston, will do a better jobwith attendance.

But Melissa Garza '94, who served as vicepresident last semester, said the council set lastsemester, said the council set a bad precedent bynot recalling Liston.

"If we can't uphold something that explicit [inour by-laws], we should just as well say that allcouncil offices are self-defined," she said.

Others lamented that the council spent so muchenergy on a relatively minor offense.

"I think it's a shame that we had to spendthree hours on an issue that doesn't have anythingto do with representing students," said Jay I. Kim'95.

On Sunday, Kim said the recall issue, ratherthan recent council successes such as Yardfest andthe They Might Be Giants concert, dominated thenews.

Garza, however, said Liston is the only one toblame for his misbehavior and the fact that therecall issue has garnered publicity.

"People look at Chris Garofalo and blame him[for making this an issue]," Garza said. "But whenJosh Liston didn't record attendance and expelmembers, she said, "he took the successes likeYardfest and They Might Be Giant out of theheadlines."

Liston himself appears to believe theproceedings were politically motivated. Hereferred to the recall movement as a "politicalwitch hunt" during last night's meeting, which wasclosed to the public and press.

Kim agreed with Liston's conclusions. "I cansay that I think a lot of people that spoke outagainst him had a political motivation againsthim," he said.

Expelled member Beys said yesterday he will notseek almost certain reinstatement and would henceeffectively resign from the council.

Beys blasted the "culture of criticism"consuming the council, the recall movement as"absolutely 100 percent" politically motivated,and Garza as a "shameless hypocrite who wasequally if not more careless as vice chair."

Liston did not return a call placed yesterdayafternoon

Member Christopher J. Garofalo '94 then made amotion for the recall of the sixth council member,Demetrice G. Spiliotis '96, who had been expelledon April 24 but reinstated.

Simultaneously, Garofalo Motioned for Liston'srecall, which later failed 23-28. Those upset atthe failed recall believe the council shirked itsresponsibilities .

"There are 28 council members who should haveresigned [Sunday] because they don't respect thecouncil or they can't read the by-laws," themember said.

Another member said the delegates voted againstthe recall because they like Liston personally.

"There were 23 people who based [theirdecision] on the evidence and 28 people who basedin on Liston's] personality," the member said.

Treasurer Jamila A. Braswell '95 said thecouncil knew when it chose Liston that it was notelecting a vice president who would strictlyattend to the details of the office.

"Yes, we need to discipline someone when theydon't fulfill their duties, but you have to aboutthat when you elect someone," Braswell said.

But Braswell, who ran against Liston inFebruary, said the council actually set a goodprecedent by bringing up recall charges.

"You can't get away with not" fulfilling theduties of the office Braswell said, "becauseyou'll be brought up on charges."

Braswell added that all vice presidents fromnow on, including Liston, will do a better jobwith attendance.

But Melissa Garza '94, who served as vicepresident last semester, said the council set lastsemester, said the council set a bad precedent bynot recalling Liston.

"If we can't uphold something that explicit [inour by-laws], we should just as well say that allcouncil offices are self-defined," she said.

Others lamented that the council spent so muchenergy on a relatively minor offense.

"I think it's a shame that we had to spendthree hours on an issue that doesn't have anythingto do with representing students," said Jay I. Kim'95.

On Sunday, Kim said the recall issue, ratherthan recent council successes such as Yardfest andthe They Might Be Giants concert, dominated thenews.

Garza, however, said Liston is the only one toblame for his misbehavior and the fact that therecall issue has garnered publicity.

"People look at Chris Garofalo and blame him[for making this an issue]," Garza said. "But whenJosh Liston didn't record attendance and expelmembers, she said, "he took the successes likeYardfest and They Might Be Giant out of theheadlines."

Liston himself appears to believe theproceedings were politically motivated. Hereferred to the recall movement as a "politicalwitch hunt" during last night's meeting, which wasclosed to the public and press.

Kim agreed with Liston's conclusions. "I cansay that I think a lot of people that spoke outagainst him had a political motivation againsthim," he said.

Expelled member Beys said yesterday he will notseek almost certain reinstatement and would henceeffectively resign from the council.

Beys blasted the "culture of criticism"consuming the council, the recall movement as"absolutely 100 percent" politically motivated,and Garza as a "shameless hypocrite who wasequally if not more careless as vice chair."

Liston did not return a call placed yesterdayafternoon