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

[sushijerk]

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.

[lastchance]

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

[miajag]

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

[dethgrind]

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

[Autocratic]

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

[NickMPK]

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.

[sushijerk]

[ 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.

[kibble420]

Your "friend" is a tool.

[Messiahkid]

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

[/ QUOTE ]

^^

[Messiahkid]

keep us updated