An investigation by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities into the Graduate Student Government found the organization's leaders misused its funding and created a toxic environment for members.
An Aug. 20 letter obtained by The State Press, signed off by Tempe Dean of Students Lance Harrop and West Valley Dean of Students Regina Matos, alleged a litany of policy violations committed by GSG since fall 2023. The letter also included changes implemented to correct the student government's conduct.
The letter was addressed to current President Bhagvan Reddy Vemula and forwarded to GSG representatives on Aug. 27.
GSG violated nine sections of the Arizona Board of Regents Student Code of Conduct, with behavior including harassment, disruption of University activities and providing false information, the letter said. In one instance, the organization also violated state law, according to the letter.
This document was emailed as a PDF to The State Press on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, from a member of the Graduate Student Government and shows the outcomes of an investigation into GSG on Aug. 20, 2025.
A University spokesperson did not provide a comment.
The letter focused on a GSG trip to Flagstaff in April 2025 to attend an ABOR meeting, claiming GSG misled the University on the purpose of the excursion.
Reimbursement records on food, travel and lodging didn't fully demonstrate how the money was used.
GSG was reimbursed for 20 more breakfast burritos than the number of people on the trip in one case, and the documentation showed the burritos were shared with University graduate students who were in the United Campus Workers Arizona union but not in GSG, according to the letter.
Because ABOR doesn't oversee UCW, paying to feed UCW members with GSG money violated both ABOR policy and state law, the letter said.
The letter said GSG falsely claimed the trip was for a professional development conference rather than to attend the ABOR meeting. Additionally, GSG members who spoke at the meeting did not identify themselves as part of the student government, instead simply referring to themselves as University graduate students or UCW members, the letter said.
According to the ABOR meeting minutes, three members did identify themselves as members of GSG during the call to audience, and at least one did not.
A UCW Instagram post about the union's plans to speak at the ABOR meeting tagged GSG, as well as the Arizona Students' Association and Arizona College Democrats.
However, UCW disputed the relationship between the union and GSG indicated by the letter.
"United Campus Workers of Arizona CWA Local 7065 has no formal relationship with the Graduate Student Government at ASU or the student government at any other institution and therefore has not received or used any GSG funds for any purposes, nor have we received funds from any other entity within or related to ASU," Hannah McKinney, a spokesperson for UCW, said in a written statement.
McKinney said because all graduate students are considered members of GSG, and UCW also has University graduate students, there may be overlap between GSG and UCW. They also said the union attended the ABOR meeting with their own funds, including for meals, transportation and lodging.
The letter said former GSG Assembly President Michael Kintscher, a doctoral student studying computer science, failed to comply with University directives during their suspension.
READ MORE: BREAKING: University suspends GSG, potentially pausing student funding
In emails obtained by The State Press and sent to all GSG officers in May, Kintscher told GSG's then-Vice President of Internal Affairs Harin Kumar Mallela, a graduate student studying information technology, not to take action on instructions regarding the organization's pause.
"There are some questions that we will need answered first, so we can determine what, if any action will be appropriate," Kintscher said to Kumar Mallela.
The instructions included transferring login information for online accounts and updating social media profiles and websites to say GSG was paused pending SSR review.
The letter also said Kintscher attempted to continue GSG business despite a directive to suspend all operations.
Harassment and hostility were also common, the letter said. GSG leaders allegedly bullied members into supporting their agenda with "frequent and 'nasty' communications." This behavior led some to leave GSG altogether.
In a May email referenced by the letter, Kintscher told then-incoming President Reddy Vemula, an international graduate student, to ensure he is up to date on guidance for international students. The State Press was able to independently confirm the existence of this email, which was sent at the time to all GSG officers.
"This is a particularly risky time to be an international student in the US, and I want to be fully transparent with you about the fact that you will receive public visibility in this position," Kintscher wrote. "While this should not impact your ability to be in this position, I also want to be upfront about the risks involved in publicly taking stances on student issues, given the current climate in the US ... By choosing to remain in office, you are accepting these risks."
The letter said the warning was "what any reasonable person would interpret at minimum as a veiled threat" and that using Reddy Vemula's international student status was a form of harassment intended to dissuade him from participating in GSG.
Reddy Vemula did not respond to a request for comment.
READ MORE: Investigation into GSG concluded as students express concerns about dysfunction
Nikki Fordey, a GSG Assembly member and law student, said in a written statement that they disagreed with how Kintscher was portrayed in the letter.
"I believe student leaders should be fully informed of the difficulties facing international students at this time and consider what amount of risk they feel comfortable with taking," Fordey said.
Kintscher did not comment on the findings against them.
As a result of the investigation, an oversight committee was created to ensure the organization's compliance with University and GSG policies. It will help review eligibility requirements for members, revise GSG governing documents, transfer access to social media accounts, audit expenditures and more.
That oversight committee intends to review a plan to have GSG reimburse the previous improper travel expenditures, the letter said.
The letter also mandated training for all members on fostering a "healthy organizational culture" and meeting University standards for travel and spending.
GSG meetings must now be held in person, with exceptions made by advisers for those unable to attend physically.
The letter concluded, "any future violation of the ABOR Student Code of Conduct may result in additional administrative or disciplinary action."
The University may also investigate wrongdoing by individual GSG members in relation to the accused violations.
Edited by Mia Osmonbekov, Henry Smardo, Katrina Michalak and Sophia Braccio.
Reach the reporter at coyer1@asu.edu and follow @carstenoyer on X.
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Carsten Oyer is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication, as well as public service and public policy. This is his second semester with The State Press, having previously worked as a politics reporter.
