Following an investigation into her eligibility status at the April 24 Associated Students Organization (ASO) meeting, Vivian Amezcua was removed from the presidential position in ASO’s executive cabinet.

The removal came after ASO advisers Harold Tyler, dean of student development and Janice Watanabe, student services specialist, discovered an issue of ineligibility.

“When somebody like that has to leave office, it’s not a good day,” Tyler said.

Former ASO Vice President Ashley Bachmann is now acting president.

All ASO members are required to have at least a 2.0 GPA, maintain six units and have an ASB sticker.

Amezcua did not meet one of the requirements and an investigation was launched, Tyler said.

Due to the procedures presented in the ASO Constitution, Tyler could not speak about the exact reason for Amezcua’s removal.

Amezcua was notified of the ineligibility and had due process to act on it. Amezcua declined to comment on the issue.

“It’s an unfortunate situation. I feel we (ASO) could have gotten a lot more done with this semester,” Megan McLean, student services officer and ASO presidential candidate, said.

Amezcua had requested a special Senate meeting to address her ineligibility, Tyler said. Amezcua did not show up to that meeting to defend herself on that issue.

In order for Amezcua to be removed from the ASO presidency there needed to be a two-thirds vote of the entire ASO to confirm her removal.

“The issue is deliberated and then action is taken, so you cannot neglect your duty,” Tyler said.

Some members did not understand that they had the choice to vote, while others simply chose not to vote on the situation.

“Your constitution mandates you (ASO members) to take action,” Tyler said.

Following a second vote, the motion was passed with 14 senators out of 21 senators approving her official expulsion.

ASO members have distanced themselves from the circumstances following Amezcua’s removal, opting only to express that it was an unfortunate situation, but was a necessary process.

Ivana Poste, ASO senator of fine arts, said she believed that many other things in Amezcua’s daily life contributed to her inability to successfully perform her ASO duties.

“Opportunities were not met and she had a lot of things going on,” Poste said.

Despite the organizational upheaval, ASO members and advisers are confident in Bachmann.

“She is prepared, she has been involved as a senator and executive officer,” Tyler said. “She is experienced so the transition will be smooth.”