Student Action Senator Resigns Unexpectedly

An ASUC senator announced his resignation at the ASUC senate meeting last night, ending a nearly two-year run in the senate and sending shockwaves throughout the ASUC.

Student Action Senator Igor Tregub abruptly stepped down after what he said was a long deliberative process.

"My decision was sealed as a result of learning that which I did not care to learn and with which I disagree vehemently," said Tregub, who was visibly upset during his address to the senate last night. "Still, over the last few days, the process of reaching it cost me my time, my sleep, my work and my health."

Student Action party chair Suken Vakil said he was informed of Tregub's decision prior to his announcement and said it will not affect his status as a member of the party.

"His decision is his own; it's something he felt he should do," Vakil said. "By no means is he leaving Student Action. He's still going to be a part of our family."

Many senators said they were caught off guard by Tregub's resignation, citing his high level of dedication to the ASUC.

"I never thought Igor would drop. He was so dedicated to this; I was shocked," said SQUELCH! senator Ben Narodick.

According to Tregub, it was his commitment to the organization that led him to his decision.

"In all that to which I have ever committed myself, I felt it incumbent to give no less than 200 percent of my effort," Tregub said in an e-mail. "Knowing what I know now, had I opted to remain a senator for the remainder of my term, I would be unable to deliver on this prerogative."

According to procedure, the vacant senate seat will be offered to the candidate that finished in twenty-first place in last spring's election, ASUC officials said.

Tregub's legacies in the ASUC are varied and numerous, passing 90 bills during his tenure as a senator and leading relief efforts immediately following disasters including the earthquake in South Asia and tsunami that struck Southeast Asia in late 2004.

"The hardest part has been and will be letting go," Tregub said.

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