Recently, there have been a number of stories in the Daily surrounding an investigation of the Government of the Student Body Appointment Committee. As chairman of the GSB Rules Committee, I was charged with heading this investigation. For the most part, the coverage of the Daily has been objective and factually accurate regarding this matter.

However, I was very troubled by the editorial in the Friday, Nov. 10 issue of the Daily. The editorial board made allegations of “corruption,” “fraudulent practices” and “deceptive behavior” by the members of the appointment committee. These statements are misleading and contrary to the conclusive findings of the rules committee. The final report of the rules committee clearly states that “there was no intent by the appointment committee to willfully subvert the legal selection of the Election Commissioner.”

The editorial would lead students to believe that the appointment committee willfully and maliciously committed illegal acts to serve its own ends. This could not be further from the truth. Mistakes were certainly made during the process to select an election commissioner, and the process was in violation of GSB law. However, the rules committee believes these mistakes were not in the least an attempt to deceive the GSB or the students of Iowa State University. Quick and decisive action was taken to rectify the situation in a fair manner for all those involved. Furthermore, the appointment committee cooperated completely and without hesitation with the rules committee investigation. We feel that the action taken was appropriate.

The rules committee and the GSB as a whole do not tolerate corruption in this government, and it is of great concern to us when there are allegations presented that assert we have allowed corruption to pass unpunished. The students of Iowa State University can be sure that no elected member of this government sought to deceive them in this matter. We seek to ensure that the students confidence and trust in this government are not misplaced.

If any student is concerned with the investigation of the appointment committee, or the election commissioner selection process they should feel free to read the final report of the Rules Committee on this matter. The report can be found in the GSB office in the East Student Office Space of the Memorial Union and is available for students inspection at their request. Also, members of the rules committee would be happy to talk with anyone who is concerned about this.

Charles Johnson

Sophomore

Political science

Speaker of the Senate and GSB Rules Committee chairman