SGA investigations regarding recent alcohol and drug related infractions at a November conference have been concluded, and the verdicts are in.
Bakersfield College Director of Marketing and Public Relations Amber Chiang said, on Dec. 2, that after five interviews of individual SGA executive board members, three executives will be removed from office, one will undergo a censure and be placed on probation, and the remaining officer has been cleared of all charges and allowed to return to office.
Vice President of Student Services Zav Dadabhoy had previously suspended the five executive board officers, along with 11 senators, after complaints of drug and alcohol use at the Student Senate for California Community Colleges General Assembly conference held from Nov. 1-3 on the Monterey Peninsula.
Chiang would not name the specific individuals for whom the sentences were applied, but the five SGA officers involved were President Travis Tillis, Vice President Elizabeth Gonzalez, Treasurer Jimmy Moran, General Counsel Janessa Jennings, and Secretary Erin Robinson.
The other two members of the executive board, Activities Liaison Daniela Miramontes and Legislative Liaison Shelby Sward, were previously cleared of all charges and have been continuing their service in the SGA while the investigation of other members took place.
In addition to the ruling regarding the five SGA executive officers, Chiang said that seven senators, out of the 11 suspended, would be receiving letters stating that they will be removed from office. Chiang did not state the names of the senators.
Chiang said that she does not believe any further action will be taken regarding the SGA and the charges placed against them.
Chiang said that Dadabhoy, Interim Dean of Student Life Don Low, and President of Bakersfield College Sonya Christian were all involved in the investigation and the resulting punishments. She said that normally the school President would not be involved, but that it was felt to be necessary in order to achieve an “equitable” outcome for the SGA members.