Pocono News Section

Students Question LHU California Trip

Students Question LHU California Trip - Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 5:42PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 @ 05:42pm EST
Lock Haven, Clinton County-

Students at one local college want answers about money spent on a trip to California by members of the student government.

Hundreds of angry Lock Haven University students contend they've been swindled by their own classmates.

Senior Ruby Graves said, "This is our governing body, and these are supposed to be the leaders on our campus."

Seven members of the Student Cooperative Council, or S. C.C., flew to California to attend a three-day leadership conference in late October. But they apparently never made it.

Instead, the board members allegedly toured Los Angeles, went to UCLA's campus, and hit the beach in Santa Monica- all to the tune of nearly $10,000 that students here want back.

Graves noted, "We are the future leaders of America. And I feel like if we're in college and we're already acting corrupt and being dishonest, that this is the reason corporate America and society in general is just corrupt and dishonest."

Brian Shultz, news editor of the L. H.U. Eagle Eye, said, "They admit that they were wrong, but take no responsibility for their actions."

Conference officials confirm the contingent from Lock Haven never even registered for the event. Shultz continued, "We received an email and verbal confirmation that they never attended. They never inquired (about the conference)."

After S. C.C. board members admitted they didn't attend the conference at a meeting Wednesday night, the California trip was all over the front page of the college newspaper, and it was the talk of campus Thursday morning.

Senior Mikiah Thornton noted, "As adults and members of society, we have the obligation to accept responsibility for things we've done wrong."

And while only one member has willingly stepped down, students are calling for the impeachment of the rest of the S. C.C. board.

Graves added, "Honestly I think what's fair is for them to step down from their positions. Obviously they're not qualified and they're not mature enough to handle a position of this authority and this power."

Our requests for comment from the S. C.C. were referred to university officials. They say no comment will be made until an internal investigation is completed.