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Photos by Devin Courtright/The Advocate
Far left: Former ASG vice president, Jon Francis marching with students on Feb. 10
ASG vice president resigns to focus on family, school
The Advocate
Raul Reyes, Associated Student Government director of communications, will be appointed Thursday as ASG vice president, replacing Jon Francis who resigned Monday.
Francis initially planned to resign at the Feb. 24 Senate meeting, according to Pam Kuretich, student events & special projects coordinator.
However, due to the school closure that day, Francis was unable to go ahead with his plan and instead sent a letter of resignation to Kuretich Feb. 28.
In the letter, Francis cited the need to "work full-time, fulfill my personal obligations to my family, as well as commit to 16 credit hours each term for school" as the reason for his resignation.
ASG President Larry Collins-Morgan said, "He said to me, 'Larry, if I can't get the grades, I can't get the education.' That's the sacrifice of student leaders."
"There was an investigation launched (of Francis's performance), but in talks he felt that he should step down as opposed to a 'he-said, she-said, Bradley Best' sort of thing," Collins-Morgan said.
Best was the ASG president in 2009-2010 who the Senate attempted to remove from office for a variety of reasons.
Numerous attempts to contact Francis this week were unsuccessful. A message to Francis from College Center staff to contact The Advocate was unreturned.
Reyes, who was also a senator last year, was chosen by Collins-Morgan based on his "knowledge of ASG and his competency," said Kuretich.
Collins-Morgan said, "This year we are a 'communiversity' (a community college with a university feel) and Raul understands that. I've given him the keys to the car and told him not to scratch it," said.
Replacing Reyes will be Jennifer Hernandez, an administrative assistant to Collins-Morgan and Reyes, who worked "hand in hand with Raul for the Call of Nature (the calendar of events commonly found in restrooms)," explained Collins-Morgan.
"Anybody could've stepped in because I've prepared for the next person to step in," added Collins-Morgan.
"The Senate didn't really have a stance because we were in the middle of the process (when Francis resigned)," said Lemans-Beason.
"There's been controversy with the Bradley thing last year, with people for or against, but this time it went smoothly," said Leman-Beason.
Kuretich said, "He really struggled with his decision. We talked a lot about his life, but it was his decision. I think talking it through helped him realize what's best for him and our students."
Collins-Morgan said, "This year's group has understood that there are going to be scandals and controversies, but it's how we handle with it. There's dirt, but he understood he had to step down."
"He prioritized students over his reputation, which is admirable. I'm not sure many people in his position would do that," added Collins-Morgan.
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.