Many students on the Associated Student University Arizona's Spring Fling committee said presidential candidate Jacob Reuben was fired from his position this year, and they question if he can commit to a higher position.
Reuben was the corporate director for Spring Fling, a paid appointed position that he was supposed to commit to for a year, but was removed after a few months, said current directors of Spring Fling.
His job as corporate director was to seek out business to sponsor the spring fair.
Siobhan Hamilton, Spring Fling promotions director, said Reuben was fired because he never showed up for his office hours, and later, the group found out, he lied about certain contacts.
Reuben was warned he needed to start attending his 10 office hours each week or he would be asked to leave.
"All he had to do was start showing up," said Hamilton, an anthropology junior. "I feel like he let down a team,"
During the Arizona Daily Wildcat debate yesterday and in a Friday KAMP radio interview, Reuben did not specify why he left the position but said the decision was "mutually beneficial" and he was not fired.
Reuben declined further comment about his former position and his reasons for leaving.
Administrative Vice President Jordon Miller and Spring Fling Director Amanda Meaker both said they were present when Reuben's term as director ended, but neither would comment about the incident.
Spring Fling Field Operations Director Chris Domschke said Reuben was fired for not meeting the goals of his position months into planning for Spring Fling and ASUA.
Two weeks after the warning, Reuben had not fulfilled the goals, said Domschke, an education junior.
"From what I know, he was fired on the spot," Domschke said.
Domschke said Reuben's employment was detrimental to the team.
"He was holding us back and costing us sponsorships," Domschke said.
Domschke said the group later found Reuben had not contacted the companies he said he did for sponsorships and did not show up for office hours and mandatory meetings.
Spring Fling Corporate Director Mary Hammond said she took over the position after Reuben left and said in an e-mail, "He was fired very early in the year."
"He is telling people that he quit because he did not have enough time due to the fact that he is in a fraternity, however, he was in fact fired," Hammond said.
Hamilton said if Reuben did quit on good terms like he claims, he should have apologized to the Spring Fling team.
"He never wished us the best," Hamilton said.