ASUA member to initiate recall drive

Jennifer Holmes Arizona Daily Wildcat (From left) ASUA Treasurer Mark Johnson and Administrative Vice President Ryan Rosensteel talk during an ASUA Senate meeting last night in the Memorial Student Union Rincon Room. Rosensteel is facing a recall petition from economic sophomore Travis Klein.

The petition, organized by economics sophomore Travis Klein, alleges that Rosensteel has "disrespected his constituency" and that he used questionable practices during his campaign. It also claims that Rosensteel's position "is worthless, and no one should fill it."

Klein, who did not attend last night's meeting, stated via e-mail that he would not comment on the specific reasons why he initiated the recall.

The Senate was addressed by elections commissioner Anthony Hill and took action to approve 1998 recall election procedures.

The recall item was added to the Senate agenda yesterday, requiring a suspension of rules under the Arizona Open Meetings Law.

The law requires organizations that hold open meetings to notify the public of any agenda changes at least 24 hours before, so interested persons can attend.

The Senate's rules require it to follow the law, although it is not legally bound because ASUA does not directly receive state funds.

Hill said Rosensteel would be given official notification today of the recall petition and would have 10 days to compose a statement to put on the ballot if a recall election takes place.

"There are going to be a lot of things said about me, and a lot of things taken out of context," Rosensteel told senators last night. "I want you all to remember what kind of person I am."

In order to hold a recall election, Klein will need to gather more than 3,400 student signatures - 10 percent of the student body.

If the petition signatures are verified, a recall election would be held within five working weeks. To oust Rosensteel, two thirds of the number of students who voted in his original election must vote, and a majority of those need to cast their ballots against him.

Klein said yesterday he is confident he will gather the needed signatures and that he has the support of particular students, although he declined to name them.

"I put together a crew and we will get the job done," he said.

Associated Students President Tara Taylor said she hopes students will separate any possible dislike for ASUA from the campaign against Rosensteel.

"As of now, this is all preliminary," she said. "I think he could definitely get 3,500 people to say they dislike ASUA."

ASUA Sen. Dave Snyder defended Klein's intentions, but said the recall is unnecessary.

"ASUA needs someone like him (Klein) pushing the limits," Snyder said, "But this is going to be a huge burden on students."

Hill said if a recall election is held, it will cost the university about $3,000, although ASUA is looking into alternative forms of ballot counting that may save some costs.

Klein would have to follow regular ASUA procedures for the petition drive and recall campaign, Hill said, adding that if Rosensteel violated such rules when he ran for office in March, any grievances should have been dealt with at that time.

"According to election code, all problems must be reported within 24 hours," he said.

ASUA rules state that any student can initiate a recall for any reason.

Associated Students adviser Jim Drnek said yesterday that a recall election would be a waste of money, but that every student has a right to the process.

"Ryan hasn't done anything to justify being recalled," Drnek said. "I have confidence in the students on this campus to make a wise and intelligent choice."

Rosensteel said he believes Klein's allegations are directed toward ASUA as a system rather than his vice presidency.

"I could not see why 3,500 students would have a problem with anything I've done this year," Rosensteel said. "I think I've made a lot of contributions."

Wildcat reporter David J. Cieslak contributed to this report. Erin Mahoney can be reached via e-mail at Erin.Mahoney@wildcat.arizona.edu.