Student Government will renew their search for a new AUTO Commissioner once a replacement is found for former Comptroller Matt Handverger, according to President Andy MacCracken.
The SG has not had an AUTO Commissioner since Aug. 25 when Cory Ward resigned from his post due to personal reasons and time constraints. Ward had only just taken up the job three months earlier when Handverger appointed him to replace then-AUTO Commissioner Zach Schwartz. Schwartz was censured by the Undergraduate Senate for allegedly using the AUTO vans for his own personal use at the end of spring semester.
AUTO vans are available to be signed out by students who take a course and are certified to drive. The vans are used to bring students to sports practices, club events and shopping runs among other uses.
According to SG bylaws, Handverger was temporarily in charge of the AUTO program following Ward’s resignation. Handverger resigned from his position as Comptroller on Sept. 10, following a weeklong impeachment trial brought against him by Senator at Large Jared Alves.
Until another AUTO Commissioner can be found, MacCracken will be in charge of AUTO. MacCracken said that he has trained a few current SG staff members to keep the AUTO system running while they looks for a new AUTO Commissioner.
“We’ll be looking for someone dedicated with a strong vision for where AUTO can take the SG,” MacCracken said, “It would be good to have someone who has experience with, or is interested in, business.”
Despite Schwartz’s alleged misuse of AUTO vans last year, SG will not be modifying the AUTO Commissioner application process, MacCracken said.
“We aren’t changing anything about the application process,” MacCracken said. “The current vacancy wasn’t a result of our commissioner being unqualified. Cory was doing a great job and had big plans for AUTO, but for personal reasons, could not continue in his capacity as commissioner.”
MacCracken has already received two or three applications for AUTO Commissioner, and he expects to receive at least five applications by the time the SG starts the review process, he said.
Alef Worku, the manager of Transportation Operations and Maintenance, hopes that the new AUTO Commissioner will be fully devoted to running the AUTO system efficiently. Worku has worked extensively with the past six AUTO commissioners on van maintenance, and he said that he has never had an issue with any of the past AUTO Commissioners.
“I’ve always had a positive experience [with the AUTO commissioners],” Worku said, “I admire the time and dedication that they have devoted to AUTO,” he said. “I hope that [the new AUTO commissioner] will serve a longer term so that he/she can have time to implement his/her vision for AUTO.”
You can reach this staff writer at jryan@theeagleonline.com.
