Council Expels, Installs Burton

It was the changing of the guard at the Undergraduate Council's meeting last night, and newly installed Vice President John A. Burton '01 was once again expelled from the council for truancy.

In an emotional moment at the end of last night's meeting, outgoing council President Noah Z. Seton '00, clad, along with other outgoing council members, in black tie apparel, recalled the successes of his administration, including universal keycard access and making University Health Services more accountable to students.

Seton then thanked the council for their support and passed the presidential gavel over to Burton's running mate, Fentrice D. Driskell '01, who distributed packets outlining her agenda for the coming months.

In a peculiar juxtaposition of ceremonies, Burton was expelled from the council only minutes before he was installed as its vice president.

Burton's second expulsion for truancy--which will not affect his ascendance to his new position--comes one month after his first, and less than three weeks after his landslide vice-presidential election victory.

Burton will now assume a position charged with convincing negligent council members to attend meetings.

But Burton says he doesn't foresee any problems taking care of attendance, despite his own record. "I'll just be vice president," he says.

Council members are automatically expelled after five or more absences, but can apply to the council's executive board to be reinstated.

Burton was first expelled in December with 10 absences and was re-instated a week later by the council's executive board. A re-instated council member begins with three absences.

However, even after his expulsion, Burton's truancy remained a persistent problem.

Burton was present for less than one full Finance Committee (FiCom) meeting of the three scheduled for the weeks after his first expulsion, netting him a total of five and a half absences.

Even Burton's core of supporters said they are troubled by his frequent absences from council.

"I think [his absences are] problematic," said outgoing council Vice-President Kamil E. Redmond '00, who endorsed Burton in the recent election. "Hopefully, he's going to step up to the plate."

Outgoing President Noah Z. Seton '00 didn't mince words.

"He shouldn't be missing the meetings," Seton said. "Frankly, I'm upset by it."

After his first expulsion, Burton promised that he would never miss meetings if elected vice president.

"As vice president, I could never do this," Burton said a month ago.

When asked about this promise last night, Burton responded: "Technically, I wasn't vice president yet [when I was expelled]."

He was installed as vice president 20 minutes after he was expelled.

Burton said his absences stemmed from a section that conflicted with FiCom meetings.

But Bradley L. Davis '00, who was FiCom chair last year, said Burton's absences are nothing new.

"During the semester I was chair, he said he had a conflict attending meetings and didn't attend most of the meetings," Davis said.

Davis said he was disappointed that Burton didn't attend because FiCom members are assigned individual student groups to "represent" to the committee during the grant application process. When Burton wasn't present, he said, those groups weren't represented.

"If he doesn't attend [the meetings], it's that much less input that we have," Davis said.

This semester, Burton represented the Hillel Drama Club, the Latter-Day Saints Student Association, the Tennis Club, the Table Tennis Club, the Equestrian Club, MINHUET, the Korean Association, HUSR, Pugwash, and the Women's Ultimate Frisbee club.

According to current FiCom chair Kyle S. Hawkins '02, Burton has only attended three-and-a-half FiCom meetings this entire academic year.

Driskell addressed her own batch of controversy at last night's meeting.

Recently, allegations that she overspent her campaign limit have led to calls that she and Burton resign their positions as president and vice president.

Driskell did not explain or defend herself against the allegations, explaining that would come at a later time. She was, however, resolute that she will keep her post as president.

"Under no circumstances will I step down," she said.