It’s not easy to bury the hatchet, and campus politics are no exception.

In what has been deemed a political tactic to discredit him, Associated Students, Inc. Vice President of Finance Luke Wood was “saddened” by the unauthorized release of his financial records.

The editors of The State Hornet received an anonymous letter on March 12 containing private financial information about Wood. The copies of Wood’s financial records were all marked with the Sigma Phi Epsilon insignia. Wood was a member of the fraternity until May 2002.

The anonymous writer identified himself only as “a concerned CSUS student … concerned that the leadership of ASI is having trouble managing themselves in an appropriate fashion.”

This “concerned student’s” actions would have been illegal under the Privacy Act of 1974 if Wood’s full social security number had not been blackened out on the documents.

The act states, “No agency shall disclose any record of which is contained in a system of records may by any means of communications to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to written request by, or with prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains.”

Wood said he did not give written consent to anyone to release his financial records to The State Hornet, and The State Hornet did not request such information.

Rules regarding the use and release of financial records from Sigma Phi Epsilon Headquarters were unavailable before press time.

Current president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Andrew Singletary, had knowledge of the releasing of Wood’s records before it occurred.

“I am aware that (Wood’s) financial records were sent to The Hornet,” Singletary said. “I was aware before they were sent, but that is all I want to say.”

Current ASI President Peter Ucovich, who is also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon, said he had no knowledge of the letter, and therefore could not comment on the situation.

The financial records attached to the letter were a computer printout from the Web site of Omega Financial Inc.

Omega is a third party collection agency fraternities can use to collect dues from members. Sigma Phi Epsilon uses Omega’s services.

Josh McGee, vice president of finance for Sigma Phi Epsilon, said that one must be a member of the fraternity with a working password for the site to access such records through Omega’s Web site. This allows them to view their financial standing with the fraternity, as well as that of other members. This is used as an incentive to stay out of debt, McGee said.

McGee’s name appeared on the documents received by The State Hornet. His name would appear on any records accessed by a Sigma Phi Epsilon member through Omega because he is the vice president of finance, McGee said.

McGee said he does not know who is responsible for disclosing Wood’s records to The Hornet.

“My guess is that it could be someone who is upset with (Wood’s) debt and wants to see him pay it,” McGee said.

Singletary said Wood was expelled from the fraternity for outstanding debt.”After 30 days of unpaid dues, (members) receive a warning,” Singletary explained. “After 60 days (members) receive a suspension. After 90 days, (members) are expelled.”

According to the Interfraternity Council Constitution, a student is not allowed to join another Greek organization while still owing money to another.

Wood now belongs to the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, which is not governed by the rules set forth by the ICC.

ASI elections are next month, but Wood has yet to officially announce whether or not he plans to run for office for the 2004-05 academic year.