Election causes controversy
Student gov't president Kimball is elected MSUSA state chair, despite popular student support for withdrawal
Nick Hanson
Issue date: 4/4/05 Section: News
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President of SCSU student government Hal Kimball ran unopposed for state chair in the Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) election over the weekend. He was voted unanimously into the position.
The seven student government presidents from the seven state universities met on Saturday to vote in favor of Kimball. His election, motive for running and subsequent win, however, is the subject of controversy to some.
Last year, the SCSU student body voted in favor of a referendum to withdraw from the MSUSA system entirely. Prior to popular student approval of the referendum, student government unanimously voted to withdraw from the system. Kimball was a chair in student government at the time.
"It was very clear that Hal was opposed to MSUSA and he was going to stay strong on that issue (this year)," 2003-04 SCSU student government president Cory Lawrence said. "He was very vocal about it."
Student government's unanimous opposition to MSUSA-- which represents, discusses and lobbies issues for the 65,000 students from Minnesota's seven state universities-- stemmed from several problems. Some issues include alleged unfair representation for larger state schools (like SCSU) at conferences, a heavy price tag, a lack of representation on personalized university issues and questionable use of funds.
Because MSUSA was unable to remedy those issues, student government withheld payments to MSUSA and refused to attend meetings nearing the end of last year. Although those issues are still lingering, Kimball's adamant opposition to the organization has subsided, Lawrence said.
"They've gone to every MSUSA meeting this year. They haven't stuck to the referendum," he said. "It's unethical."
Lawrence said it should have been Kimball's duty to uphold the popularly approved student referendum and his campaign promises, especially in lieu of his apparent former opposition.
"I don't know what his reasonings are (running for state chair), but my personal opinion is that it's going to benefit him."
The seven student government presidents from the seven state universities met on Saturday to vote in favor of Kimball. His election, motive for running and subsequent win, however, is the subject of controversy to some.
Last year, the SCSU student body voted in favor of a referendum to withdraw from the MSUSA system entirely. Prior to popular student approval of the referendum, student government unanimously voted to withdraw from the system. Kimball was a chair in student government at the time.
"It was very clear that Hal was opposed to MSUSA and he was going to stay strong on that issue (this year)," 2003-04 SCSU student government president Cory Lawrence said. "He was very vocal about it."
Student government's unanimous opposition to MSUSA-- which represents, discusses and lobbies issues for the 65,000 students from Minnesota's seven state universities-- stemmed from several problems. Some issues include alleged unfair representation for larger state schools (like SCSU) at conferences, a heavy price tag, a lack of representation on personalized university issues and questionable use of funds.
Because MSUSA was unable to remedy those issues, student government withheld payments to MSUSA and refused to attend meetings nearing the end of last year. Although those issues are still lingering, Kimball's adamant opposition to the organization has subsided, Lawrence said.
"They've gone to every MSUSA meeting this year. They haven't stuck to the referendum," he said. "It's unethical."
Lawrence said it should have been Kimball's duty to uphold the popularly approved student referendum and his campaign promises, especially in lieu of his apparent former opposition.
"I don't know what his reasonings are (running for state chair), but my personal opinion is that it's going to benefit him."