Peter Ryther resigned as Student Body president Friday in an e-mail to Student Government representatives and university officials, citing "health and personal reasons."
"I look forward to more time focusing on recovering my personal health and concentrating on my academic studies," Ryther wrote. Ryther did not respond to numerous requests for comment from Eagle News.
Vice President Kim Diaz takes over as president, as outlined in the Student Government Constitution.
"It's a tough situation, that's for sure. I am nor disappointed, mad or angry. I respect Peter's decision," Diaz said. "(SG) is ready to pass from this situation and move forward. We have a great team on board and we are ready to start the semester."
Diaz will appoint a vice president and try to get Senate approval for her choice. She hopes to have the position filled by Aug. 24, the first Senate meeting of the fall semester. She would not say whom she plans to appoint.
"I am working with the executive cabinet to make sure we choose the right person," Diaz said.
Ryther served as president for three months. In June, allegations surfaced that Ryther and five other SG representatives smoked marijuana at a student-funded retreat.
In a three-hour impeachment hearing, Senate voted to keep Ryther in his position due to lack of evidence. Jasmine Villanueva, then Senate president and one of the five accused with Ryther, resigned the day the allegations surfaced.
"My resignation came because that was right for me, and Peter did what was right for Peter," Villanueva said.
Besides Ryther and Villanueva, Tyler Offerman, director of environmental initiatives; and Sens. Rebecca Gwyn, Rafael Felicano and Millie Ruiz were also accused of smoking pot. Offerman, Gwyn and Felicano were cleared in the June hearing. Ruiz's impeachment was void when she transferred to another university.
According to Villanueva, she went through the university's judicial process before Ryther.
"My particular case lasted about two weeks from start to finish," Villanueva said.
According to the Student Code of Conduct, allegations against a student can result from a written complaint by a student to the Dean of Students or from information that comes to the university through the Internet, social networking sites or the media.
Once the student receives notice of the charges, he or she can choose an administrative or student conduct committee hearing. An administrative hearing is a one-on-one meeting with an administrator. A student conduct committee is comprised of faculty, staff and 50 percent students.
A student who is found to have violated the student code of conduct faces penalties ranging from community service hours to reprimand, suspension, expulsion, and restriction in clubs and organizations.
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