"Â?Â?I don'Â?Â?t even think he is a student here this semester." Student Association Speaker Amanda Voigtlander

Former Student Association President and Speaker of the Senate Russell Rueden is no longer a member of the organization.

Rueden has not attended a meeting or been involved in SA affairs since an investigation into possible embezzlement was launched in early October. The alleged charges stem from a $10,000 check that was written to Rueden's advertising firm AcerPrudens last year.

The check was written by ex-Student Housing Adminstrative Council (SHAC) President Matt Franson and was never authorized or approved by that governing body, said current SHAC President Jesse Dercks, prompting an investigation.

Student Association bylaws outline a demerit system for senators. Senators are docked points for missing or arriving late to senate meetings, and lose their seat by receiving 12 such points. Rueden exceeded that limit with his absence at the Jan. 28 Senate meeting.

"I don'Â?t even think he is a student here this semester," said current SA Senate Speaker Amanda Voigtlander.

Rueden can still appeal his dismissal from the Senate. If he contacts the SA Speaker and his eligibility goes to vote, he can be reinstated by a two-thirds majority. However, it is unclear at this point whether Rueden is even enrolled in class at the university this semester.

Rueden has never publicly responded to the alleged charges and the investigation is still ongoing.

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