The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

The Student News Site of Central Oregon Community College

The Broadside

BREAKING NEWS: Student Government Hires Lawyer

Eric Ercanbrack

The Broadside

__________________

According to ASCOCC’s memorandum,
“The ASCOCC Executive and General council has taken action on appropriating funds today to hire Bend Attorney Greg Lynch, Miller Nash to advocate for ASCOCC in determining the following:

  1. Clarify ASCOCC’s autonomy
  2. Solidify ASCOCC’s authority to allocate student fees within the structure of     ASCOCC’s constitution and bylaws.
  3. Work in good faith with the College Administration in this effort (establish working parameters)
  4. Ensure that COCC cannot dissolve or alter ASCOCC as this definitive process progresses
  5. Create a clearly defined relationship with the college
  6. Other related issues

The ASCOCC Executive and General Council has also agreed to hire a consultant for Public Relations Training.”

_________________

At a meeting yesterday afternoon, members of Associated Students of Central Oregon Community College unanimously voted to hire Gregory Lynch, a lawyer who “regularly charges $295 an hour,” said Jay Abbott, a secretary at Miller Nash LLP, the law firm  in which Lynch works.

“I have not heard of this happening at any other college; I have been doing this for 20 years,” said Mike Hiestand, a staff attorney for the Student Press Law Center. Heistand explained that this isn’t a normality in a community college.

A few of the reasons for hiring a lawyer include; solidifying authority to allocate student fees, to make sure ASCOCC cannot be dissolved, to understand their relationship with Central Oregon Community College.

A lawyer might also help prevent the turning over of documents that show how student government spends student fee money.

No public comment, or questions were allowed at the meeting. All questions were directed to Brenda Pierce, marketing and advertising coordinator, who will respond at a later time.

When asked about the total potential costs of the lawyer, ASCOCC members refused to comment directly. The amount ASCOCC is willing to spend, is on an “as needed basis,” said Terry Link, legislative coordinator of ASCOCC.

“Who is going to pay for this lawyer?” questioned Hiestand, “Are they using student fee money?”

______________________________________

To voice your concerns you may write a letter to the editor to be placed in the next issue of The Broadside.
Write to us at [email protected]

Eric Ercanbrack Editor In Chief
[email protected]

Or

Bring your letter to room 102 in the Campus Center

View Comments (6)
More to Discover

Comments (6)

All The Broadside Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • D

    Daniel Hutter AGAIN!Oct 21, 2010 at 10:13 am

    i think we should start a petition to destroy the student government and let someone else deal with the money… before a strike starts…

    Reply
  • D

    Daniel Hutter AGAIN!Oct 21, 2010 at 10:13 am

    i think we should start a petition to destroy the student government and let someone else deal with the money… before a strike starts…

    Reply
  • D

    Daniel hutterOct 20, 2010 at 6:13 pm

    So does this mean if the current administration gets canned I get refunded my money?

    Reply
  • D

    Daniel hutterOct 20, 2010 at 6:13 pm

    So does this mean if the current administration gets canned I get refunded my money?

    Reply
  • N

    Nicolas ReedOct 14, 2010 at 7:25 am

    So does this mean that I, as a student can go and put in a funds request to ASCOCC for a lawyer to aid in my campaign to dissolve the current ASCOCC administration?

    Reply
  • N

    Nicolas ReedOct 14, 2010 at 7:25 am

    So does this mean that I, as a student can go and put in a funds request to ASCOCC for a lawyer to aid in my campaign to dissolve the current ASCOCC administration?

    Reply