UA resignation sparks controversy

About a month ago, College senior Shannon Richardson decided she no longer wanted to be a member of the Undergraduate Assembly. And although she has not attended a UA meeting in weeks, her name remains on the roll call. Several sources said she has not been officially removed from the roll call because members of the UA Steering Committee do not want her replacement, College sophomore Josh Rockoff, to join the body. When Richardson realized she no longer wanted to be a UA representative, she brought up the issue with UA Chairperson and College senior Lance Rogers. The two came to an agreement, according to UA Vice Chairperson and Wharton senior Gil Beverly. "I told them both that if they had some sort of arrangement or deal that I didn't want to know about it," he said. Beverly said there is a history of animosity between several members of the UA and Rockoff, who came in behind Richardson in last year's election. "People were hesitant about letting Josh join the UA," College senior and former UA member Eric Tienou said. Rockoff said last night that he has not been informed of the situation, adding that he would be very interested in being a UA member. He said that he has "very cordial" relationships with several members of the UA, and that he thinks the UA would be happy to receive him. "I think my attitude will help get the UA on a good footing and help them in the future," Rockoff said. Tienou said he spoke with Richardson a few weeks ago, at which time she said that she did not have time for the UA in her schedule. "She voiced an opinion that she was thinking about resigning," he said. "Later on I heard that various people on Steering were not willing to accept her resignation for various reasons." Richardson said last night that she assumed she was removed from the UA rolls. "I thought that if I wasn't going to the meetings that I wasn't on the UA anymore," Richardson said. She said she assumed she had been replaced. Rogers refused to comment on the issue.