Associated Students Inc. (ASI) has brought in a conflict resolution expert to help them resolve some of their personal problems after months of squabbling.

“That’s the nature of the beast,” said Dr. Marc Martin, an SF State speech and communication studies professor brought in two weeks ago by ASI to observe their board meetings.

“The board’s behavior is rather normal and in some cases better than other boards I’ve observed,” said Martin, who observed the ASI board meetings on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. Martin reported his findings back to ASI, but whether they address his critiques is up to them, said Martin.

“I’m trying my best to not be combatible,” said Joe Anolin, vice president of external affairs at the end of the Aug. 31 board meeting. Anolin talked to the remaining board members about having a communication workshop.

“There hasn’t been a certain level of respect for awhile,” said Anolin at the next meeting.

Anolin has had continuous problems with President Chris Jackson. Jackson has told Anolin he was out of order at several board meetings.

At the Oct. 19 board meeting, Anolin walked out after being informed that he did not need to finish his report because Jackson could decide to skip his presentation. Anolin replied, “This is retarded,” and walked out. He returned to the meeting a few minutes later.

At the meeting prior to that, Jackson left after numerous acts of disruptiveness, including unruly behavior from board members and Rep at Large Isidro Armenta’s refusal to tell Jackson what he was laughing about.

Communication problems have also occurred with ASI staff. Horace Montgomery, leadership
development coordinator and full-time staff member for ASI, got into a verbal disagreement with

Jackson on Aug. 24 that ended when police were called. Three weeks later, the personnel committee recommended suspending Montgomery for four months and withholding Jackson’s pay, $950, for one month. Both recommendations failed.

According to Montgomery, who is in charge of training board members, there is no conflict resolution training for staff and board members. Board members go to a weekend retreat in May, right after being elected into office. At the retreat, members get familiar with the ASI corporation and their responsibilities and duties as board members. An optional, more extensive summer training is also available for members.

Health and Human Services Rep Najma Nuriddin made arrangements for Martin to come in and observe a board meeting in order to “assess the damages,” according to Nuriddin.

Martin, a practicing facilitator, mediator and negotiator for almost 25 years, charged the board $30 an hour, 50 percent less than the $60 he usually charges for this kind of work.

“The observations are done,” said Martin. “I have met with the board designate and I will probably meet with the chair as well since the chair’s position on the board is so crucial.”

Some board members consider the squabbling unprofessional for an organization in charge of $2-$3 million of students’ money. For other board members, ASI is just another learning experience.

“Everyone knows we’re not full-time politicians,” said Armenta. “We’re not lawyers; we’re not all political science majors (and) because of that everything isn’t going to go smoothly all the time. Being students, we are all learning from experience.”