The Undergraduate Student Government's open budget/freeze tuition rally did not disturb Friday's Board of Trustees meeting, but did rouse controversy as USG President Seth Williams called for an administrator's ousting.

Williams demanded the replacement of Vice President for Student Services William W. Asbury during the rally, saying Asbury has done "a disservice to students" at the University.

"I'm dissatisfied with the totality of his tenure," Williams said. "Mr. Asbury has been a front man for the administration, rather than an advocate for students."

Asbury responded to Williams' demands by saying, "I don't think there's any need to respond to such an incredible statement . . . a statement with no basis . . . from an individual who is so obviously concerned with his own self-aggrandizement."

The rally, held in near-freezing temperatures on the steps of Old Main, attracted about 30 people. University officials had arranged for additional police protection at Keller Conference Center, where the rally was expected to continue at Friday's trustees meeting.

Only about 15 students accompanied Williams to Keller, where the rally dispersed -- some students went elsewhere, while others continued to Keller's fourth floor to watch the trustees meeting.

Williams' statement about Asbury, dismissed by University President Bryce Jordan as "a political ploy," drew somewhat more attention.

Public Information Director Bill Mahon called Williams' statement "ludicrous" and said, "The turnout at the rally is indicative of the support Seth Williams has at the University."

USG Senate President Kendall Houk said Asbury has been uncooperative in his dealings with student leaders. "The Office of Student Services has done an excellent job of dividing student government so the student leaders are fighting each other," he said. "They've dispersed our power."

However, Council of Commonwealth Student Governments Coordinator Tony Bottino said Asbury has always cooperated with CCSG. "Any time I've dealt with him he's been a great help to me," he said. "He's been willing to come to our meetings and work with us.

"I want to work with USG," Bottino said. "But the way they deal with the administration is opposite to mine . . . I prefer to be more professional in my dealings with (the administration).

"I have no idea what he based his statements on," he concluded.

Graduate Student Association President Ken Martin said much of USG's problem with Asbury stems from USG's style of working with the administration.

"I don't think this will benefit Seth in the future," Martin said. "The administration might overlook a good idea just because of a history of past relations."

Williams said he called for Asbury's firing because "students at this University deserve a vice president for student services who is a student advocate . . . who has a background in student advocacy."

Before becoming vice president for student services, Asbury served as the University's affirmative action officer.

But Martin said that while Asbury's background is not considered "typical," that should not be held against him. "He hasn't followed the regular track," Martin said. "It hasn't been the traditional method, but I haven't seen any problems with his work."

"It's not that no one in the Office for Student Services is interested in student affairs, because that is not the case," Williams said Saturday. "Asbury has no background in student advocacy . . . but (Director of Student Organization Program Development) Arthur Costantino and (Director of Unions and Student Activities) Melvyn S. Klein have that background."

Williams advocated that Klein and Costantino be considered for Asbury's position.