Student Confederation Board of Elections Chair Mark Malon resigned from his position Sunday afternoon in a speech at the General Assembly's meeting. Malon said the job was too physically and emotionally demanding of him.
This incident is not without precedent in AU student government. In February 2004, Kyle Taylor stepped in to replace Marguerite Meyer as SC vice president after Meyer resigned. In spring 2003, Haley Stevens won the election for SC president before deciding she wanted to spend a year abroad rather than be president.
The many college students who have additional responsibilities beyond classes may find it hard to feel sympathetic toward Malon. Malon was put in a tough situation after assuming the position a month ago, and he did an admirable job. However, students should look ahead and avoid stepping into a position that they don't have the time or energy to handle.
However, perhaps the epidemic of student government officials resigning is a result of the level of pressure they place upon themselves. A sense of perspective is necessary. The job might not have been so emotionally demanding for Malon if he recognized that he was the Board of Elections chair for a student government, not Miami-Dade County.
While this may not have been Malon's problem, in general, students in positions that allow them to serve others need to make sure they can follow through with their duties and not just take a position to pad their resumes. Recognizing one's own limits shows a definite level of maturity.
