ASCMC Vice President Admits to Fraud, Is Not Removed by Senate

Image via Wikimedia Commons. Copyright CMC Media Team.

The Associated Students of Claremont McKenna College (ASCMC) President emailed the student body on April 19 regarding findings of misappropriation of student funds. 

This past week, CMC’s Dean of Students Office notified the ASCMC President and Chief Ethics and Procedural Officer of “questionable activities.” An ensuing investigation, which included interviews and a review of financial records, determined that the Executive Vice President (EVP) submitted a falsified invoice for DJ services. The investigatory committee, which included at least three members of the Executive Board, discovered that the individual listed on the invoice never performed DJ services. Instead, the “purpose” of the invoice was to “reimburse the individual for alcohol expenses from a class event.” 

“Manufacturing of an invoice for services not rendered is fraudulent conduct, and in direct violation of ASCMC’s Constitution,” the President wrote. The committee relayed these findings to the Executive Board on April 18, motioning to censure the EVP. The motion was passed with a unanimous vote from the Executive Board, resulting in the EVP losing their voting rights, a substantial portion of their stipend, and oversight over the EVP's discretionary funding. 

When given the opportunity to resign, the EVP opted to move forward with the removal process outlined in Article III of ASCMC’s bylaws. Removal would require two consecutive three-quarters majority votes of the Senate at its next meetings, the first of which will occur on April 21, and the second—if the first vote indicates removal—occurring on April 22. 

Update on 4/21: Following a tense ASCMC Senate meeting, senators voted 18-14-1 to remove the EVP from her position. However, the vote did not meet the three-quarters majority vote required for removal, meaning that the EVP will retain her position. The EVP still remains censured and will continue to experience limited privileges within her role. In the meeting, the EVP expressed her intention to appeal the censure.       

The session was unusually well-attended and was relocated to Pickford Auditorium to accommodate the over 100 students. The investigatory committee presented their findings and invited the EVP to speak. The EVP openly admitted to committing fraud, but emphasized her continuing commitment to her work in student government. Her remarks received applause from the gathered students.