Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

Is student government considered a big deal in many colleges? I always thought it was just a bunch of BS that anal overachievers spend time on so they can boost thier transcripts and feel self-important, but I digress.

Basically student government positions are supposed to be decided by open election, and those elected will have a say in the direction of the curriculum and given university funds to plan events as they see fit. It is also supposed to be a prestigious position that shows drive/leadership/whatever.

My friend finds out that the group overseeing his major has never held elections, basically giving positions away to whoever they are friends with. The essays that candidates are required to submit is generally along the lines of "lol gimmie this f*cking position yo!". He reports this to the Engineering Governing Counsel, of which he is a member. Now here is where it gets interesting.

Shortly after he sends out an email complaining about this, he finds that his university email account is shutdown and that the records of him reporting the incident are deleted. The assistant Dean for his major then calls him to the office, locks the door, and asks him questions along the lines of "do you want to make our major look bad?", "why don't you start thinking about your future here?" and "do you know what I can do to you?" Shortly afterwards he is told that he was pressured out of the Engineering Governing Counsel and resigns.

He feels the situation is ridiculous, but is afraid to press the issue with his university because he doesn't know how far up the corruption goes and fears recording tampering or expulsion.

Has anyone involved with student government here experienced something like this? Should my friend just drop the issue (it's not really an issue of the election anymore as wtf is going with the university) or should he press it with other authorities?

Cliff notes: friend finds out that student government elections are a sham, emails student government authorities. Then finds his university email account tampered with and Dean of his major ambigiously threatens him with expulsion of he continues to bring the issue to light.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

I really don't know. I mean, this is absolutely ridiculous.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

What school is this? Tell him to go to the student newspaper, or the real press if the campus paper isn't independent.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

Anonymously provide evidence to the press. Gather a ton of evidence though, pictures, emails, audio, everything. Sounds like fun.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

This is hilarious. dethgrind's idea would be fun but risky. I say he takes out some kneecaps.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

There is a student government organization overseeing his major? What does that mean? At my college, student government was a pretty big deal to a lot of people, but it only had an power over extracurriculars.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anonymously provide evidence to the press. Gather a ton of evidence though, pictures, emails, audio, everything. Sounds like fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

^^

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

keep us updated

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

You've got to tell us what school this is. This is absurd.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

lol - i dont even know if my school has student gov't. they still have those in college?

go to the student newspaper with evidence or call into your schools radio station or somethin like that and make it public. bring down the man

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[censored] anonymously. Tell him to let everyone know who he is. On the off chance that the school is daring enough to try to kick him out after all of the trouble he stirs up, he could get in to pretty much any school he wanted afterwards based on their goodwill alone.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

You're friend can always transfer to another college if he gets expelled, and other colleges wont care about the expulsion when they see the reason.

Tell your friend to play harball with the dean. Either he gets a full scholarship or something of that sort or he will go public. Hell, even say he has made plans to transfer. Screw with them and get something out of it. Then, once he graduates, expose it.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

As others said go to the newspaper however what the assistant dean did is really [censored]. I'd take this to either the president of the college and or the board of trusties. There is no way this should be happening at an accredited university or college.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Get him fired.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

Don't be sneaky about it. Either grow a pair and fight the situation head on.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

Quite ridiculous.

You really have to gather tangible evidence. If there is means to get some then I say wage war. If there isn't, then you might want to just give up because in a "your word against mine" situation the school will probably win as the larger institution.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Get him fired.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep in mind this can't be submitted as evidence unless he agrees to being taped.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Save your rogue fraternity.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Get him fired.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep in mind this can't be submitted as evidence unless he agrees to being taped.

[/ QUOTE ]

What evidence? There's no criminal trial here.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

wtf school is this?

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Get him fired.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep in mind this can't be submitted as evidence unless he agrees to being taped.

[/ QUOTE ]

What evidence? There's no criminal trial here.

[/ QUOTE ]

well I figured if he really wanted revenge he would press charges for blackmail/extortion.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

If you have a Student Legal Services or similar, talk to them. Make sure that your bud isn't doing nothing illegal (and I'd assume they can help you with University bylaws).

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]

There is a student government organization overseeing his major? What does that mean? At my college, student government was a pretty big deal to a lot of people, but it only had an power over extracurriculars.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is a weird structure that the engineering school has. Basically there is a general Governing Counsel for all engineering (my friend is a member of this) and then for each major a smaller "society" is formed that makes decisions for events specific to people in that major. I doubt they have any real power over the curriculum but they do have a lot of access to the authorities to discuss the pros/cons of the program since it is relatively new. Of course this ultimately adds up to extra blurb on your resume/more chances to kiss professor ass.

As far as I understand, getting a position in the "society" isn't that big a deal, but it is the Deans job to oversee thier activity and make sure everything is on the up and up. This includes reading the candidates essays and make sure they campaign on relevent issues. If the story gets out then it is proof positive that the Dean is ignoring a big portion of his responsibilites and this might get him fired from a very cushy job.

My friend probably will not do anything because his parents (they're hardcore asian) will not understand or tolerate expulsion for any reason. He is also halfway done and since the major is relatively new there aren't many other schools offering the same program. Plus his grades are not in such hot shape that if he does get kicked out, chances are very slim that he can get into a better/similar school.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

Your "friend" is a tool.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

what school?

yes, your "friend" needs to grow a pair.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Get him fired.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep in mind this can't be submitted as evidence unless he agrees to being taped.

[/ QUOTE ]

What evidence? There's no criminal trial here.

[/ QUOTE ]

well I figured if he really wanted revenge he would press charges for blackmail/extortion.

[/ QUOTE ]
Embarassment & scandal > legal battle

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

Although it's not exactly their area, he might try submitting the case to FIRE - Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. At least the staff there would look the case over and tell him who to contact if they don't take it on. Couldn't hurt. Media exposure is the thing universities hate the most and you need an expert to get to the right people.

FIRE Web Site

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
You're friend can always transfer to another college if he gets expelled, and other colleges wont care about the expulsion when they see the reason.

[/ QUOTE ]Yeah, because I'm sure the college's records will show: "reason for explusion--tried to uncover a scandal I'm involved in"

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Get him fired.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep in mind this can't be submitted as evidence unless he agrees to being taped.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe its not admissable in the court-of-law, but it is certainly admissiable in the court-of-public-opinion!

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You're friend can always transfer to another college if he gets expelled, and other colleges wont care about the expulsion when they see the reason.

[/ QUOTE ]Yeah, because I'm sure the college's records will show: "reason for explusion--tried to uncover a scandal I'm involved in"

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

this is WILD...should be made into a movie!

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Get him fired.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep in mind this can't be submitted as evidence unless he agrees to being taped.

[/ QUOTE ]

A) This isn't true. It depends on the state.
B) Crime is not the issue, ethics are and that's important enough in college administrations.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You're friend can always transfer to another college if he gets expelled, and other colleges wont care about the expulsion when they see the reason.

[/ QUOTE ]Yeah, because I'm sure the college's records will show: "reason for explusion--tried to uncover a scandal I'm involved in"

[/ QUOTE ]

hahahah

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
lol - i dont even know if my school has student gov't. they still have those in college?

go to the student newspaper with evidence or call into your schools radio station or somethin like that and make it public. bring down the man

[/ QUOTE ]

don't worry...your school government is still busy debating the Chief issue over and over


actually, I was the Hopkins Hall representative to the campus housing government (RHA IIRC)
It was ridiculous how the student government body would use funds collected from all dorm residents to throw parties and formals and whatnot for themselves. The funding votes often went 40-1 with me being the 1 voting against. Obviously, I was not a loved member. Other members worked to get rid of me. LOLZ...silly kids

too bad their budget was HUGE

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tape record an interview with the dean. Leak to press. Get him fired.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep in mind this can't be submitted as evidence unless he agrees to being taped.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe its not admissable in the court-of-law, but it is certainly admissiable in the court-of-public-opinion!

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think this is accurate for every state. Some allow recordings as long as one person knows that they are being recorded (IE no third party tapping calls)

Regardless, this is [censored]. I'd [censored] stuff up. Like photocopies, recordings everything and do my own mass marketing campaign one night before an open house with prospective students.

Re: Friend exposes student gov. \"scandal\", gets threatened. His play?
 

Go to the media and disgrace the college. Contact your local senator or government official. Inform the secretary of education. Extort them first though.

Life lesson: When people f**k with you, you f**k them over hard.