Council Removes Beys

Michael P. Beys '94, former chair of the Undergraduate Council, was denied reinstatement to the council Wednesday night, ending his four-year tenure as a representative.

Beys had been expelled on Sunday night for missing seven council and committee meetings this semester. The maximum number of allowable absences is five.

"I think they did the right thing," Beys said yesterday regarding the executive board's decision.

He told The Crimson Monday that he did not plan to seek reinstatement, but said yesterday that several council members had asked him to apply.

The rejection came amid rumors that Beys planned to "stir up friction" at this Sunday's meeting, according to an executive board member.

If a motion to censure Vice President Joshua D. Liston '95 for attendance improprities was raised, Beys planned to move for similar action against several other executives, said the member, who requested anonymity.

The former chair reportedly said he intended to turn Sunday's meeting into a "three-ring circus."

A motion failed last Sunday to recall Liston for his failure to enforce the council attendance policy. Many delegates have also blamed Liston for the mishandling of a recent referendum on the council's $10 term bill hike. The referendum, which was riddled with improprieties, was ultimately invalidated by the council.

Beys said yesterday that he still plans to defend Liston if a censure motion is raised. As a non-council member, Beys retains all the rights of a delegate--including the right to speak in debate--except those of voting and making motions.

"I think if that motion to censure Josh comes off the table, I'm going to stand up for him," Beys said. "And this council will learn the hard way not to choose scapegoats for institutional problems."

In an interview Monday, Beys said he "might call for the censure" of several members of the student affairs committee.

He listed committee chair Hassen A. Sayeed '96 vice chair Justin C. Label '97 and secretary Denise A. Ebery '95 as possible censure targets.

Beys accused Sayeed of "pardoning many people [`s absences]," Label of "abdicating his attendance responsibilities" to Ebery and Ebery of "being careless and marking a lot of people absent who weren't absent."

He also hinted Monday that he might call forthe censure of Melissa Garza '94, who served asvice president last semester.

Beys said that Garza was "equally if not morecareless" than Liston as vice president.

Not Satisfied

Contrary to what Beys said, members present atWednesday's executive meeting said the formercouncil chair did not appear at all satisfied withthe board's decision not to reinstate him.

One executive board member said that uponlearning of the reinstatement denial, which wasmade by a hand vote while Beys was not in theroom, the former council chair demanded a recount.

He then insisted that those executive boardmembers who voted against him explain theirrationale.

Beys "accosted one member who voted againsthim," an executive board member said. "He becameextremely confrontational. Mike grabbed his arm,and got really intense."

The member whose arm was grabbed had to requestBeys to let go, according to a member.

Beys was then asked to leave, and reportedlystormed out of the office.

Three executive board members voted for Beys'reinstatement, while 2.5 voted against. (Co-chairsof council committees each have half a vote.) Atwo-thirds vote of the executive board is neededto reinstate a member expelled for excessiveabsences.

Beys declined to comment on the events of lastnight's meeting

He also hinted Monday that he might call forthe censure of Melissa Garza '94, who served asvice president last semester.

Beys said that Garza was "equally if not morecareless" than Liston as vice president.

Not Satisfied

Contrary to what Beys said, members present atWednesday's executive meeting said the formercouncil chair did not appear at all satisfied withthe board's decision not to reinstate him.

One executive board member said that uponlearning of the reinstatement denial, which wasmade by a hand vote while Beys was not in theroom, the former council chair demanded a recount.

He then insisted that those executive boardmembers who voted against him explain theirrationale.

Beys "accosted one member who voted againsthim," an executive board member said. "He becameextremely confrontational. Mike grabbed his arm,and got really intense."

The member whose arm was grabbed had to requestBeys to let go, according to a member.

Beys was then asked to leave, and reportedlystormed out of the office.

Three executive board members voted for Beys'reinstatement, while 2.5 voted against. (Co-chairsof council committees each have half a vote.) Atwo-thirds vote of the executive board is neededto reinstate a member expelled for excessiveabsences.

Beys declined to comment on the events of lastnight's meeting