By Benjamin Strawbridge
Staff Writer
February 15, 2018
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The UNH Student Senate announced in a press release on Sunday that José Calvo would be resigning from his post as Student Senate Speaker, effective immediately.
Speaker Calvo, who was elected as Speaker in Dec. 2017, per the Feb. 18 press release, is leaving the Senate for “personal reasons,” and his post will be filled in the interim by Student Senate Parliamentarian Douglas Marino; SAFC Chairperson Jake Adams will pull double-duty as Interim Parliamentarian until a special election can be held to fill Calvo’s position.
The Student Senate took the time in the press release to thank Speaker Calvo for his accomplishments and commitment to the institution during his tenure, including praise for his efforts to lay down “the groundwork for a successful 2018 General Election with an overhaul of election policies,” especially those targeting campaign corruption. In addition, the body commended the outgoing Speaker for his “reforms to its public relations and communication” to strengthen ties between the Senate and the student body as a whole.
The press release noted that both the Senate and Speaker Calvo are “saddened” by the “unexpected” resignation, but also that Calvo will continue to be a “resource to students” for the next several months.
As announced at the Feb. 18 Student Senate assembly, the election process has begun to select a new Senate Speaker, with the final election being held on Feb. 25. As of Feb. 22, Interim Speaker Marino, Health and Wellness Council Chairperson Emily Cochran, Academic Affairs Council Chair Audrey Getman, Campus Structure Council Chair Ethan McClanahan and former SAFC Member Shannon O’Hara are the current eligible nominees for the position.
Originally published in The New Hampshire in Vol. 107, No. 18, on Feb. 22, 2018.