The newly elected GUSA Assembly convened for the first time two weeks ago and immediately faced challenges from within.

Both the outgoing and incoming assemblies were present for the election of former Representative Octavio Gonzalez (COL ’06), who did not run for reelection this year, as the new assembly chair. Gonzalez, who will replace Jack Ternan (COL ’04), defeated representatives Matt Mauney (COL ’05) and Drew Rau (SFS ’06). According to the student association’s constitution, the assembly chair is not required to be a sitting representative on the Assembly.

Gonzalez said that he decided to pursue the post because he saw a lack of experience among the Assembly members and felt that his two years as a representative and commissioner on the Student Activities Commission would be an invaluable asset. He said his first priorities include mediating election reform and “mak[ing] sure the Assembly is out there among the students.” Since he is not a representative, he will not be able to vote on issues, but Gonzalez will preside over Assembly meetings and set the Assembly’s agenda. Tied votes will be broken by GUSA Vice President Luis Torres (COL ’05).

The Assembly then moved to confirm the nearly 150 executive appointments named by President Kelley Hampton (SFS ’05). Before the Assembly could vote, however, Craig Kessler (SFS ’07) raised complaints about the appointment process.

Historically the appointment process is done over a period of a month and a half and each candidate is interviewed by a panel, frequently including one of the executives. After this year’s inconclusive executive election left only one week before the end of the school year for appointments, Hampton and Torres were rushed to make appointments and employed members of their cabinet to interview other candidates.

Members of the audience and Assembly members traded barbs with each other concerning the validity of the complaints and after a lengthy debate, the issue was closed pending further private discussions.

GUSA Adviser Erika Cohen Derr made a few closing comments expressing hope that everyone involved with GUSA would take seriously the lessons from this year’s election – where Hampton and Torres were first disqualified for excessive fines and then reinstated upon appeal – and would contribute the same energy that was invested in the disputes this year to election reform and GUSA projects next year.