The Student Activities Finance Board will hold a hearing tonight to investigate a charge of financial misconduct against the Associated Student Government — an unprecedented move that has senators questioning both the students’ governing body and the processes overseeing its operation.

SAFB announced the investigation after they were alerted last week to several concerns about how ASG handled $30,500 for the Chicago Weekend Shuttle contracts.

Jenna Pilat, a Weinberg junior who is administering the SAFB investigation, will report the group’s findings to senators Wednesday. If SAFB decides to take action against ASG, senators will have to approve the recommendation.

Pilat said the budget inquiry is difficult because SAFB, ASG’s financial arm, usually takes on financial misconduct cases involving student groups — not ASG itself.

“It’s kind of atypical,” Pilat said. “In the past, for financial misconduct, consequences have run from dropping the case to maybe a reorganization or an evaluation of how people run things. This is kind of different because there’s no precedent to follow.”

Although the shuttle began running last Friday, it was slated to hit the streets Fall Quarter. However, negotiations were not completed until Feb. 3 after confusion arose over who was to handle the contract signing.

Debra Garfi, a university support services manager, said ASG took over the negotiations, a job that her office previously handled.

“I cannot speak for ASG,” Garfi said in an e-mail Monday. “When I asked if I should proceed in setting up the service, I was asked for the company’s contact and phone number and they would follow up. That ended my involvement.”

The contract negotiations originally fell to then-ASG treasurer J.D. Robertson last Spring Quarter. Robertson left the position and Le’Jamiel Goodall, ASG’s financial vice president, temporarily took over the duties. Next, the responsibilities were passed to Tiffany Berry, the former student services vice president. When she quit ASG over the summer, the negotiations were assigned to Edith Rivera, who currently serves as ASG’s treasurer.

ASG President Rachel Lopez said she understands SAFB’s duty to conduct the investigation. She admits that some of the confusion was due to the executive board turnover.

“We think it is a positive thing for SAFB to do a formal investigation because it shows that ASG holds itself accountable,” said Lopez, a Weinberg senior. “It is important for ASG and all groups on campus to be as open as possible to questions from students.”

Lopez declined to comment further until SAFB is able to do a full investigation.

ASG adviser Mark Witte said this isn’t the first time ASG has been subject to an investigation of its finances. The student government was penalized in 1995 on charges of financial misconduct, but they still were considered an A-status student group at the time.

Student groups who have gone through a financial misconduct investigation said SAFB’s findings can have a lingering effect on an organization’s image.

“It just adds a negative stigma to your organization immediately after it happens, but everyone forgets after a while,” said Alan Fu, chairman of the Asian American Advisory Board. AAAB was found guilty of financial misconduct in Fall Quarter 2000.

“Just like our investigation, you have to find out all the facts before you can make a judgment,” said Fu, a Weinberg senior. “There were a lot of misleading stories about our situation.”

Should SAFB find fault with ASG in its hearing tonight and decide to punish the executive board, senators will have to confirm the decision.

Jordan Cerf, an Allison Hall senator, said it’s difficult to judge the situation because information about the shuttle has been guarded.

“The exec board has maintained much more of a culture of secrecy than it has in years past, informing senators on what they consider a need-to-know basis,” said Cerf, a Communication sophomore. “We’re kind of helpless to the mercy of their disclosure, but I think (SAFB’s investigation) is a necessary step, especially given the amount of money involved.”

John McGlothlin, Communications Residential College senator, said he didn’t think his peers would have a problem voting against the executive board if SAFB recommends action be taken.

“It’s kind of painful to see your own organization go under inspection, but it’s good we’re not putting ourselves over our own laws,” said McGlothlin, a Weinberg freshman. “I think most senators are pretty objective.”