Pedro Ramirez, Fresno State’s infamous Associated Students, Inc. president, should resign from his post, and let President-elect Selena Farnesi, the current executive vice president, get a head start on the job.
Ramirez has lost the ability to effectively govern ASI and has split the student body into two factions: one Pro-Pedro, the other anti-Pedro.
On Nov. 16, 2010, after six months in office, The Collegian revealed that Ramirez was an undocumented immigrant. As an AB 540 student, Ramirez had the right to run for office and has the right to be ASI president. The Collegian is not questioning that right. Every student enrolled at Fresno State should be eligible to represent the students in ASI.
We don’t question this. What we question is his effectiveness since the revelation of his immigration status.
In the ensuing circus, it has seemed like Ramirez has focused more on advocating for immigration legislation, like the DREAM Act, rather than furthering Fresno State student interests.
Ramirez broke the law when he drove without a license,violating ASI’s Code of Conduct in the process. He is currently being investigated by the senate’s Personnel Committee.
In addition, according to Article III, Section 7.2.1 of ASI’s bylaws, if an executive officer misses three ASI meetings. Ramirez, in dealing with everything he’s had to go through, has missed at least three.
Ramirez seems like a good guy, and he is certainly a hero to many. It was no fault of his own that he was brought to America at the age of 3.
His tenure, however, has been mired by controversy.
His failure to disclose his immigration status opened the door for a scandal like this, and his claim that he did not drive was a blatant lie.
Ramirez is too much of a distraction. He should step down so that ASI can get back to focusing on student issues.
Farnesi’s election has opened the door for Ramirez to resign gracefully. She’ll be able to start early, and Ramirez will be able to leave all the controversy behind him and have a normal life again. The students will also benefit ”” things will get back to normal.
This is the best thing for everyone involved. Mr. Ramirez, it’s time for you to resign.
Anonymous • Mar 30, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Does the editorial reflect the the Collegian’s postion? Do all of the paper’s editors support the views expressed in the piece? I assume since the author’s name was not included that the editorial represents the Collegian’s position. Given the controversy surrounding this issue, and its importance to our community, state and nation, the need for tansparency is paramount. Shame on the Collegain for not printing the author’s name.
Mark Smith • Mar 30, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Pedro, if you read this, don’t listen to the Collegian. Its opinion section is biased conservative ranting in a hellish wasteland that logic deserted long ago. Keep your head held high and remain in office until your tenure is over.
Anonymous • Mar 30, 2011 at 5:10 am
I enjoyed watching you shake up that pro-illegal bunch last week at the Personnel Committee meeting, Jerome. Good job.
Victoria • Mar 30, 2011 at 5:01 am
I want everyone to understand is that AB 450 students DO NOT GET ANY TYPE OF FEDERAL AID! Therefore California taxpayers are not paying for these “ilegal” students to go to school. If people would do thier homework before they talked they would know. Second if these students do not return to thier home country why does that matter to youor anyone else for that matter? Like you state, a job here might not be possible, but why do you care? We demand the treatment that is rightfully right and wanting a good education is not a preferential treatment, is a right under the AB 540 Law. If Pedro got into office, it was not his fault only that things turned out the way they did. We should open our eyes and see that it was the advisor or whoever oversees ASI was not doing their job. Other steps should have been taken!
Anonymous • Apr 2, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Your forgetting that tuition doesn’t even come close to covering the complete costs of educating a student in the CSU system, the rest is subsidized by the tax payers of California.
In my opinion this has nothing to do with race, I fully support AB 54o students and the Dream act because I don’t believe children should be punished for the crimes of their parents. This is about Perdo lying to me and my fellow students about driving without a license and then refusing to apologize for embarrassing us and our University by wrecking his truck into a tree.
Pedro is just a typical politician with no sense of accountability who will do anything to retain his position. Or he’s scared of what his racist supporters in Mecha and the Brown Berets will do if he even hints at taking responsibility for his actions.
Anonymous • Mar 30, 2011 at 2:16 am
This is a very well thought out opinion piece, with many valid points. The call for Pedro Ramirez’s resignation has nothing to do with race. His behavior has brought derision upon Fresno State, and he should do the honorable thing and resign. It is obvious by his most recent actions that he is in student government to represent only a segment of the student body. Resign Pedro.
Manny • Mar 30, 2011 at 9:31 pm
I think the whole ASI has failed to represent the students. You can pin it on one person but it is actually the whole collective group. When you ask students what they think about ASI or even that ASI stands for they are left dumbfounded. ASI continues to live in the shadows behind a banner that says they are for the students. This is false considering A. How many students actually voted B. How many people know what ASI is and C. How many students have good feelings toward ASI. The answer for all three is very little students, which signals a failure on the whole administration not just on one person. Its easy to blame the President although Congress has more power.
Anonymous • Apr 1, 2011 at 2:53 pm
The current ASI is 65% minority. Two of the three executive officers are Latino.
Your argument just fell apart like a cheap suit.
Manny • Apr 3, 2011 at 10:33 pm
You have no idea what my argument is so how does it fail if you fail to understand it? Your response to my post has nothing to with what I commented.
Manny • Apr 3, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Did you even read my argument or is reading and understanding not one of your strong points? Perhaps you just need to take a class in the English language and see I made no mention of minorities in my argument or made a reference to how many minorities are on ASI. If you have trouble reading it I am sure I can reinterpret it for you.
DerailAmnesty.com • Mar 30, 2011 at 12:45 am
Resignation, insufficient. Deportation and permanent exclusion, appropriate.
Mark Smith • Mar 30, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Yes, deport a student who gets good grades, became student president, and provides beneficial services to the community in outreach and immigrant awareness! This is a fantastic idea.
Anonymous • Mar 29, 2011 at 7:52 pm
MAM84, I fail to see race as the governing issue here. I believe in the rule of law, fair play, and good sportsmanship. We have laws in the USA and Fresno State has chosen a set of bylaws as a framework of the ASI. When we bend the laws to accommodate or favor a particular group of non-whites, we call it “Affirmative Action”, but why when whites ask for a level playing field, are they labeled (or libeled) as “racists”? Isn’t the act of pointing to somebody and maliciously calling them a racist, in some vain attempt at silencing their speech or influencing their decision, making you the racist?
Manny • Mar 30, 2011 at 9:33 pm
You talk about “white people” asking for a leveled playing field. You fail to see they are the ones still setting all the rules and keeping score.
Anonymous • Apr 1, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Perhaps this is due to the fact that many whites are raised in a culture that is conducive to learning, whereas many Latinos are raised to believe that if they get good grades, they are “acting Anglo,” and “disrespecting” their “heritage.”
The problem of Latino students and the Latino community as a whole are self-inflicted.
Manny • Apr 3, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Where did you learn this from? Did your “Anglo” education teach you this? My assuming is a sign of ignorance. So problem with Latino students? Why are Latino students singled out in your argument? Is there some kind of discrimination hidden in it?
Anonymous • Mar 29, 2011 at 7:13 pm
@ BAM84, Pedro Ramirez has missed Jan 13th, Feb 9th and Feb 23rd ASI senate meetings. Why don’t you go to the ASI website, download the minutes, and check em’ out for yourself? The ASI bylaws are applicable to all ASI senate and executives irrespective of race. I see that our wonderful university has not familiarized you with the concept of logic and reasoning. Your comment pulling the “racist” card on the collegian clearly demonstrates your lack of foundation to base any solid accusation you made. The color of your skin is an irrelevant issue. My mother and father immigrated here legally from Argentina and I am strongly opposed to Pedro’s presidency and his representation of my Latino culture and heritage. His illegal status is an irrelevant issue because he has lied about his unlawful behavior, damaged private property, illegally registered to vote in Tulare County, registered voters illegally, openly called American’s A**HOLES on social networking sites, and failed to represent students by chronically missing ASI senate meetings. Pedro is an insult to the university and should resign immediately. His resignation is long overdue (much like Dr Welty’s).
Manny • Mar 30, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Also insulting to the University, in my opinion, are people who create hatred among the people in the community. Ok so you said it is not about race, but people on your website are making it an issue of legal status. Your website, therealpedro.com has caused a lot of hatred to the point were they use much profanity and foul language in stating their opinion. This is the sign of ignorance. I think you are a very poor example of Latino culture and heritage because instead of trying to unite your brothers and sisters, you create hatred and disrespect among them. Is this all about Pedro? When your 15 mins of fame is finished and you are no longer a Fresno State student what do you plan to do then? 20 years down the road are you still going to be at Fresno State free speech area talking about how Pedro was the worst President still trying to stir up hatred among people?
Manny • Mar 30, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Another things you say Pedro’s status is irrelevant but in your website you post “All student government organizations in the United States must ensure that positions in student government are filled with either U.S. citizens or legal student immigrants who are honest and abide by our laws.” So while you can make claims on here that his status is a non-issue, you are only lying to yourself because no one is fooled.
Anonymous • Mar 28, 2011 at 8:36 pm
The editorial board recommends the Latino ASI President step down. Interesting. Who are the members of this board? Names please. Let me guess all Anglo surnames? Why is this pertinent? Simple, this is the same story of prejudice and discrimination that the academy has taught us for decades. It’s the stuff of subconscious if not overt deep-seated racism. See any social science discipline.
Would it really be more effective if she took over the last couple months of the semester? Is she going to make that big of a difference? I highly doubt it.
To be sure, I’m no fan of Pedro. Yet, at this point, I adamantly believe he should finish his term. In addition, he certainly shouldn’t heed the advise of this provocative stance of the editorial board. I’m curious, if they would suggest that of someone with a fair skin hue. Again, I doubt it.
DerailAmnesty.com • Mar 30, 2011 at 12:47 am
Ah, race-baiting is such a wonderful substitute for a decent substantive argument.
Manny • Mar 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm
I have not really heard any good arguments from your side, just rehashing old stereotypes and conservative perspectives.
Anonymous • Apr 1, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Manny! Did you guys get “your” money back yet?
Manny • Apr 3, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Haha you know they won’t give it back. It’s the face of greed that prevents them from doing so.