Duane came in and told me he wanted me to sign off on it anyway, he said. I told him the council had tabled it until the fall and he told me that I had the authority to sign off on it anyway.

In response, Sherman said he did not ask Karrow to abuse his power.

I did not ask Bill to abuse his power as fiscal officer to bypass the council, he said. There was nothing to sign off on. It was still a proposal.

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Sherman said he will present the proposed system to the USG senate this fall.

Ludwig also raised concerns about the necessity of a trip to Washington, DC in June to examine the United States Student Association and determine their legitimacy as a lobbying organization.

The trip, which cost USG $676, was unnecessary, according to Ludwig.

This is not a decision that should have been made by Duane, he said. The students voted 2-1 last spring in a referendum to go to USSA. He was elected the same day the referendum passed.

When you put something to the student body and they approve it, what right does he have to say he is going to make sure it is something the students want?

Sherman said, however, that he was looking out for the students’ best interests.

After the referendum, many people came to me with concerns, he said. I thought I should make sure it was a legitimate organization before we dedicated $20,000 per year to it.

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Karrow suggested that USG adopt a policy similar to a GPSC policy that requires all expenditures more than $200 to be approved by council action.

I think it is terrible, the way they are spending students’ money, he said. If it had to go before the council, there would be checks and balances.

Carin Musak, USG secretary and former vice president, said council action is required on large expenditures during the Fall and Spring semesters.