Vice President of Policy Taylor McArthur resigned from his position Wednesday night in an email to members of the Downtown student government, citing a need to spend more time at his full-time job.
McArthur is the manager of the Casa Grande District Office for U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Flagstaff, a job that requires him to work with the congressman’s constituents and on events around the state. He has worked at that office since April 2011.
“It is a full-time position that demands much of my time and energy,” McArthur wrote in the letter. “I feel that I must devote more time to this position in order to accomplish all that is expected of me.”
McArthur, President Joseph Grossman and Director of Parliamentary Procedures Andres Cano started discussing his potential resignation a couple of weeks ago.
“It’s always unfortunate to see someone resign, but I understand he had other priorities, and he left on good terms,” USGD Public Relations Director Danielle Chavez said in a statement.
At the beginning of the year, McArthur made it clear he had other responsibilities that would take up a considerable amount of his time, but he said he believed he could commit enough time to the student government.
As vice president of policy – formerly entitled Arizona Students’ Association director – McArthur was expected to represent Downtown students at ASA meetings and update the government about plans from the Arizona Board of Regents.
He described himself as “uniquely qualified” for the position because of his experience working with Congressman Gosar and the connections he made through that position.
According to the constitution, the ASA director is responsible for updating the Senate at every meeting with new information about ASA and the Arizona Board of Regents.
McArthur said much of what his job entailed last semester was attending meetings and participating in conference calls with the ASA.
Senate Leader Zack Lindsay said he thinks McArthur didn’t realize how much time the administration would ask of him in this position.
The administration had ambitious plans for the ASA director to follow up on, Lindsay said, and the extent of those plans didn’t work well with McArthur’s hectic schedule.
“It’s sad to see him go because he did bring a lot to the table as far as resources and connections,” Lindsay said. “He just has so much on his plate. He’s a great guy, a great politician.”
Lindsay said McArthur’s resignation does not come as a huge surprise. Neither the other executive board members nor McArthur were happy with the amount of time he was able to put into his position.
“I appreciate the fact that he did what he did in stepping down so we can hopefully get someone in there (who) can learn what the ASA director does and what they should do and carry that role on into the future,” Lindsay said.
Contact the reporter at connor.radnovich@asu.edu
