An administrative conflict over scheduling Undergraduate Council elections led to heated words on the council's e-mail list last week, prompting some representatives to question whether Vice President John A. Burton '01 has the political capital to perform his job effectively.
Last week, the council's executive board overruled Burton's decision about the date of upcoming special elections.
Burton has been pressured to step down from his post in recent weeks because of allegations he took more than 100 buttons from the resource center of the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Supporters' Alliance without permission for use in his campaign.
Council members say that Burton's subsequent loss of authority has led the council to question--and in this most recent case, overturn--his decisions as vice president.
"[Burton] doesn't have much political clout. If he says something, there going to be, at least for a while, a question about whether that's the right thing, and the best thing for the council," says council secretary James R. Griffin '02.
The latest controversy surrounds the timing of the council's special elections--held to fill seats vacated by individual council members who resign their seats or are removed from the council during the course of the year. Special elections typically occur several times a year.
According to former Vice President Kamil E. Redmond '00, the elections are usually organized by the vice president and are rarely cause for controversy.
Burton, who could not be reached for comment for this article, wanted to hold the special elections between Feb. 2 and Feb. 4. However, the council's executive board overruled his decision, setting the elections for Feb. 9 through Feb. 11.
Read more in News
Someone Still Likes You: DateSite Docs Plan ComebackRecommended Articles
-
Seton, Redmond Call for Burton's ResignationThe past president and vice president of the Undergraduate Council called on Saturday for the resignation of Vice President John
-
Impeachment Articles Filed Against BurtonTen members of the Undergraduate Council formally submitted two articles of impeachment against council Vice President John A. Burton '01
-
Burton Scandal May Weaken CouncilAs Undergraduate Council President Fentrice D. Driskell '01prepares to launch her Harvard Census 2000 of the student body this semester,
-
Students Support Removing BurtonIn dozens of conversations at four dining halls yesterday, a majority of students said they believe that Undergraduate Council Vice
-
Burton Survives as Council Rejects RecallThe Undergraduate Council rejected two articles of impeachment and voted not to remove Vice President John A. Burton '01 from
-
Burton Should Step DownIn a 41-38 vote, a majority of the Undergraduate Council voted last night to expel Vice President John A. Burton