ASUN sees third senator resign this session

By: Riley Snyder

Monday, January 24, 2011 - 9:39 PM

The student senate accepted College of Liberal Arts Sen. Jesus Palma’s resignation letter Wednesday, making him the third senator to resign this session.

Palma joins Brandon Jung and Lauren Riley as senators to resign during the 78th Associated Students of the University of Nevada Senate session.

Palma resigned due to “personal reasons,” Speaker of the Senate Brandon Bishop said.

Jung and Riley resigned while facing possible disciplinary action for unexcused absences.

The Senate Committee on Oversight voted for the impeachment of Sen. Adam Khan on Nov. 3. Khan is still a senator, however, because the full senate has yet to vote on the measure.

Despite high senator turnover this session, not all of the resignations were related, Bishop said.

Palma submitted his resignation letter on Dec. 23, which was recognized by the ASUN Senate on Wednesday. Palma declined to comment on his resignation.

According to his Facebook page, he began working as a campus representative for Apple Inc. in January.

Applications for Palma’s seat will be accepted until 5 p.m. Feb. 3.

Fellow College of Liberal Arts Senator Christopher Day said Palma’s presence will be missed.

“It’s sad to lose him because he was an active and energetic senator,” Day said.

During the 2010-11 ASUN elections, Palma received 242 votes, more than any other senatorial candidate.

Palma served as the Senate Parliamentarian as well as the Chair of the Senate Committee of Public Affairs and the Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Finance. The Senate Parliamentarian advises other members of the senate on ASUN rules.

Palma’s departure from the Senate should not have a large impact on the representation of the College of Liberal Arts, as it has six other senate seats, Day said.

“We have other senators who do a lot of work for the college,” Day said.

Reynolds School of Journalism Sen. Jonathan Moore said while he did not know Palma personally, the environment of the senate is very challenging.

“ASUN in its present form is a very high-stress environment,” Moore said.

Riley Snyder can be reached at rsnyder@nevadasagebrush.com.