The Government of the Student Body will discuss new legislation at its meeting tonight that proposes the removal of Paul Duncan from the GSB Finance Committee due to his efforts to convince GSB to zero-fund Veishea.

Duncan is co-author of a petition circulating throughout campus that would cut off GSB funding for the annual student-run celebration. According to the senate order, “Paul Duncan’s public statements about his personal involvement with the Veishea issue and how it will affect his role on the Senate Finance Committee have been self-contradictory.”

Duncan, who also serves as the Inter-Residence Hall Association president, said he feels Veishea has worn out its welcome at Iowa State, and the tradition should not be funded with student money.

Matt Ostanik, IFC, author of the senate order, said Duncan’s personal efforts to end Veishea are a direct conflict with his role on the finance committee, which could affect the way he votes to fund Veishea and 38 other groups the committee considers for Veishea-related funding.

“I think Paul Duncan has a conflict of interest in serving on the finance committee, specifically because he is one of the leaders in the referendum effort to end GSB funding for Veishea, and I think that gives him a personal stake in the future of Veishea,” Ostanik said.

Duncan, who was informed of his proposed removal Oct. 22, said he does not feel there is any conflict of interest with his position on the finance committee.

“I have done my job on the committee, and I’ve done it without any biases,” he said. “I’m concerned about the long-term viability of Veishea, [but] that doesn’t mean I can’t do my job. It’s important to remember that I’m trying to do this as a student, not as IRHA president and not as a member of the GSB Finance Committee.”

However, Ostanik said any student with a personal stake in Veishea who is also helping decide GSB funding for the celebration would present a conflict of interest.

“Would somebody want one of the Veishea co-chairs serving on the finance committee?” he asked.

Finance Director Stephen Medanic and finance committee Vice Chairman Alex Olson said the effort to remove Duncan is unwarranted.

“Ostanik is attempting to remove [Duncan] from the committee simply because of a difference of opinion,” Medanic said. “Senators can be removed if they are doing an inadequate job, not because of their personal stands on certain subjects. Paul is very professional in his job, and I see no conflict of interest.”

Medanic said Duncan has voted to approve past budgets of organizations that included money for Veishea, which shows he is not biased against the Veishea organization.

Olson, off campus, said he sees the issue as a conflict of opinions between Ostanik and Duncan rather than a conflict of interest between Duncan’s personal views and his committee duties.

“I don’t want to see the finance committee held one way or another on this issue,” he said. “Veishea is only one thing out of several groups and events that we decide funding issues for. Paul’s belief on one topic doesn’t make him incapable of doing his job.”

However, Ostanik said it is not a matter of a personal conflict.

“I expect different opinions than mine on GSB, and I like that — it’s good for GSB,” he said. “I don’t know what Paul Duncan would do. I don’t know him, and I’ve never worked with him. I’m not accusing him of having any motivations, but it’s a conflict of interest.”