Fresno State Student Execs Face the Students

Fresno, CA, USA Fresno State's Student Body President Elect Mackee Mason and Executive Vice President Sandra Flores had nothing to say to Action News cameras Wednesday night. The two admitted Monday to allowing underage drinking during a leadership retreat in July. Both faced very pointed questions during Wednesday's student senate meeting.

Student Tom Eizidi asked Flores: "Did you purchase alcohol on the Anaheim trip for underage students?" Flores gave no response. Then Eizidi asked Mason: "Was there drinking going on in your room?" Mason would not answer Eizidi's questions.

Mason and Flores had no public comment, but in a statement published online, the two did admit to violating school policy by allowing underage drinking in their presence. But Mason is also accused of using university funds to purchase drinks on two separate occasions. Mason says the drinks, worth about $20, were mistakenly charged to the university credit card.

Both Mason and Flores are now on probation and on the front page of university's student newspaper "The Collegian."

Student Christopher Collins said: "Learning experience from this entire thing. He shouldn't be kicked out. I think he should finish out the term."

Student Samuel Oregal said: "I think it's ridiculous. I think that somebody that's involved in such a thing should not be allowed to take care of students."

Eizidi said: "They think they can do anything and get away with it."

Tom Eizidi said probation isn't a harsh enough punishment. Besides the alcohol issues Eizidi claimed both spent excess money on the leadership retreat, rental cars and cell phones.

"It's not enough it's not even 1/3 of the things that are of concern. They're showing the tip of the iceberg," said Eizidi.

University officials have closely monitored both Mason and Flores and determined the probation ruling was just. Dr. Paul Oliaro says both parties have owned up to their wrong doing.

"We want to make sure that we follow executive orders which relate to use of funds which to insure that there's no fraud and theft," said Oliaro.

Oliaro said there's been neither of both. Now student body leaders can choose to uphold the universities probation ruling or serve up their own punishment.

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