The First Witness

Andrew MacCracken, President of the SG, is the first witness brought by Senator Alves, the complainant. His initial questions focus on Handverger's failure to purchase a new AUTO van. President MacCracken had been encouraging the purchase of a new van, and Handverger himself had written a memo discussing the problem of the current vans being outdated, and potentially dangerous. Counsel for Handverger argues that despite this, the AUTO fleet was ready to go in time for Welcome Week. The complainants go on to argue that there was actually a shortage of vans for runs to Target and Ikea.

I will say that President MacCracken is clearly trying to avoid taking sides in this trial. He chooses his words very carefully.

Senator Dalton asks the President directly how he feels about Handverger's work ethic. President MacCracken says that he has had some "frustrations" with the amount of time the Comptroller has been putting in. Handverger's counsel counters that the Comptroller relinquished many of his other duties (i.e. social chair of his fraternity). However, the damage has been done on this point. While MacCracken doesn't want to take sides, he is honest, it is clear that he has had some frustration with the Comptroller in the past.