News

Miller denies fraud claim; dean investigates

By Ray Hafner
Senior Staff Writer

SGA President Dawona Miller denied allegations Wednesday that she had misused campus property during her re-election campaign and then falsified records to cover it up.

"I negate all the charges that have been brought up against me," Miller said. "I am fully co-operating with the Dean of Students Office."

The Election Commission prompted the Dean of Students Office to investigate Miller after they found Milleris financial statement to be fraudulent and in need of further investigation. The commission went on to say that Miller committed the fraud "knowingly and intentionally."

At least one senator, Ola Kareem, said that if the allegations turn out to be true Miller should step down or face impeachment. 

"I donit think sheis been found guilty of anything yet," said Sen. Kareem, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciencesi representative. "If sheis found guilty of misusing student fees or funds, she shouldnit have the privilege (of being in office)."

Miller now has the option of either working out the charges with Heidi Kennedy, assistant dean of students, or taking her case before the University Hearing Board. Sanctions against Miller could range in severity from a warning to expulsion, Kennedy said.

Kennedy hears all the cases relating to student violations of the disciplinary code and said her office tries to tailor sanctions to match the offenses. 

"Youire trying to find sanctions that are going to help them learn that lesson," she said.

Miller may face charges of theft, unauthorized use of property or service and falsification of records, but Kennedy is not certain which charges may apply once she begins collecting evidence.

The allegations made by the Election Commission claim Miller used Student Government Association supplies and then attempted to cover it up by charging that paper under Election Commission expenses. Miller then also allegedly forged her financial statement, claiming a high school advancement program paid for the election materials.

If Miller opts to have the Hearing Board take her case it would put some board members in an awkward position.

As SGA President, Miller is responsible for nominating the five student members of the nine-member board. The Student Handbook states any party involved may challenge a board member on the grounds of personal bias. The board would then vote, by secret ballot, whether to remove the member.

Kennedy said the Hearing Board and the option of a personal meeting are "parallel processes." Miller has five days from her procedural interview to decide which option to pursue. In the nine months since Kennedy began in her position only one Hearing Board meeting has been called.

A separate investigation is being conducted by the Department of Campus Activities into whether Miller may have instructed SGAis administrative assistant to order a Palm Pilot without proper authorization. That investigation may also end up in Kennedyis hands if Director of Campus Activities Zach Coapland finds Miller acted improperly.

Some senators had expected Miller to address the charges during SGAis Wednesday meeting. That meeting was canceled, however, because of the loss suffered by Vice President Jon Quintanilla. Quintanillais sister was killed and his mother critically injured in a car accident over the weekend.
 

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