Benjamin Paladino, GS, resigned as vice president of policy for the General Studies Student Council on Saturday, leaving GSSC president Jacqueline Thong as the council’s sole elected official.
“While I enjoy the office I hold and the people I work with; I cannot complete my duties without sacrificing my academic standards or the happiness of my family,” Paladino wrote in his resignation letter to Thong.
“Ben has been dealing with some personal issues and was unable to attend the last 2 weeks of meetings,” Thong said, in an email to the council. “We wish him all the best and thank him for his service on council.”
Current members of GSSC declined to comment on Paladino’s resignation.
GSSC has four elected officials, three VPs and one president, who appoint representatives internally. Joshua Lewin-Jacus, CC ’13, was elected GSSC VP of Finance in May but had to resign when he transferred out of his dual-degree program in General Studies and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Two weeks ago, GSSC moved to appoint Michael Oakley to replace Lewin-Jacus by suspending the bylaws in the council’s constitution. Former Vice President of Communications Mahogany Wright resigned in protest of Oakley’s appointment and the council’s suspension of bylaws.
Thong said that they will not suspend bylaws again.
“Moving forward, we will be opening up this position to the student body and will proceed with the nomination in accordance to our bylaws,” Thong said.
Paladino’s resignation marks the dissolution of Thong’s original executive board, causing some students to wonder if internal strife has divided the council.
“It’s kosher to say that there seems to be some stuff going on there, maybe dissatisfaction with the way things are,” Lilly Cutrono, GS, said. She said she hoped that GSSC wouldn’t suspend bylaws to replace Paladino.
“I’d like to see future members elected by the way that they would have been picked initially,” she said. “It seems fishy, but I’m not sure why that would happen.”
Jose Robledo, GS and a University Senator, said that Paladino’s resignation is merely indicative of the additional commitments GS students manage.
“The letter [to Thong] is really the extent of the story. His resignation is 100 percent due to the personal difficulties with his family, being in school, and working,” Robeldo said.
Until GSSC chooses a new vice president of policy, Paladino will help the council proceed in its electoral process.
“I will remain available for consultation and assistance during the time of transition to a new office,” Paladino said.
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