Marking the second resignation in 10 days, External Vice President Justin Hotter stepped down from his office during Tuesday’s Undergraduate Students Association Council meeting for what he said were personal reasons.
Hotter said that he had thought long and hard over winter break and decided to step down from office in order to focus more on his academics.
“I realized that I will never be able to give as much time, effort and concentration to my USAC office as it deserves,” Hotter said.
Hotter’s resignation comes a little over a week after former General Representative Sanobar Sajan announced her resignation at the start of winter quarter, after admitting responsibility for forged e-mails originating from her office.
Following Hotter’s statement, President Gabe Rose said that he appreciated Hotter’s decision and hoped to quickly find a new external vice president. Because of the importance of the position and the small amount of time left in the term, Rose said he thinks the council will most likely release a briefer, more condensed application for a new external vice president than the one issued for general representative applicants. Rose later said that a presidential appointment will follow after interviews.
“I urge the councilmembers to get in touch with people who have interest in the position and who preferably have current or previous experience in USAC or in the (external vice president’s) office,” Rose said.
Rose said that he wants to go through interviews and appointment within the next few weeks.
Cultural Affairs Commissioner Bernice Shaw said she did not agree with Rose’s decision to stray away from the application process used to fill the general representative position.
“Gabe should mirror the same process. The external vice president office does seem intricate, but we still can appoint and approve someone who is really qualified,” Shaw said.
Community Service Commissioner Stephanie Chang said that the council will miss Hotter, but she also said that she wonders how USAC will deal with another executive resignation.
“I’m a little concerned about two officers resigning within two weeks,” Chang said.
Internal Vice President Dianne Tanjuaquio said the search will not be easy.
“At the beginning, you never know what you are getting into,” Tanjuaquio said. “This person needs to be have certain skills to be the leader. They need experience in the office.”
During the meeting, Dr. Berky Nelson, an administrative representative, said that Hotter’s decision was difficult to make, but appropriate.
“(Hotter) certainly understands why students are here: academics,” Nelson said.
Former Internal Vice President Greg Cendana, a member of Students First!, said in a statement that Hotter, a member of Bruins United, had led a poor administration.
Cendana said the Students First! slate will soon decide if it will forward an applicant to fill Hotter’s former position.