A Shippensburg University Student Government vice president has stepped away from her position in the organization, citing personal reasons according to SGA officials. 

Logan Wert, the previous vice president of external affairs, resigned from the position on Tuesday evening. According to SGA President Aven Bittinger, the reason was for self-care and personal factors in her life. 

Wert wanted to have someone fill the role who could give it their all, Bittinger said in an email to The Slate. 

Bittinger said the SGA will follow its constitution “to the letter.” 

The SGA will send out applications that include resumes for all those eligible to apply. Then, the Executive Rules Committee (ERC) will recommend a candidate to the SGA to be appointed during its next formal meeting.  

The SGA’s constitution, which was last revised in February, does not explicitly outline the entire process of filling vacant positions left on the ERC. As a result, SGA is setting precedent for how these situations are handled. 

“We’re going to take a holistic approach to this process,” Bittinger said. 

“Due to the representative nature of SGA, this is our interpretation of the process,” he and SGA Vice President of Internal Affairs Isaac Dietrich said. 

“The SGA of the Student Association may appoint officers that fill all requirements as outlined in Article V, Section III to fill vacancies, with the exception of the Office of the President. Appointments will be confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the SGA,” SGA’s constitution reads.

The requirements in Article V, Section III states: 

“Each officer of the SGA shall have:

1. Attended on campus physical instruction at Shippensburg University for full-time credit for at least one full academic year by the time he or she takes office.

2. Completed an orientation program between the date of the election and transition meeting. 

3. At least a cumulative 2.0 grade point average and shall retain this average throughout their term in office.

4. An actively enrolled undergraduate status throughout both semesters in office.”

The duties of the vice president of external affairs include chairing the external affairs committee, organizing marketing and public relations events, recording external events, documenting formal meeting minutes, managing SGA’s social media and liaising between SGA and the Campus Media Board, according to SGA’s by-laws. 

The constitution states vacancies must be appointed and confirmed by the SGA. 

“ERC will search for the vice president and make the recommendation to SGA,” Bittinger said.

“The goal is to have this decision by our next formal meeting,” Bittinger told The Slate.

SGA’s next formal meeting will be next Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Ceddia Union Building multipurpose room A at 4 p.m.

Bittinger clarified that the ERC does not have final say in who joins their ranks. The SGA will vote on a candidate once the ERC offers its recommendation based on who applies for the position.

“We are following the requirements for the position in terms of eligibility. And so that will be discussed in the email sent out tomorrow [Wednesday] for who can apply,” Bittinger said Tuesday evening.

Bittinger made a final statement to students concerning the resignation.

“I am always an advocate for self-care and I understand the decision Logan made was not an easy one, Bittinger said. “I think if there is anything for a student to do, it is to understand that they are here for academics. To get their education — that should be a priority, and to practice self-care.”

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