Ary Sharif, the president of Lincoln Students’ Union, has resigned.
A message on the SU website from Sharif says: “I have taken this difficult decision after much consideration. I have decided to step down for personal reasons and believe that this is the right time to hand over to a new President.”
“I am proud to have collaborated with the University Library to represent student’s need for longer 24-hour opening period and wish all them all the very best for their deadlines and exams. I would like to thank the students and staff who have supported me since I took up the role earlier this year and wish the Students’ Union and University every success for the future.”
The SU byelaws state that a by-election must be held to elect a new president where “polls open within thirty working days of resignation from office.”
Kayleigh Taylor, the SU’s vice-president for welfare and deputy president, will take up his role until a new president is elected or “the end of his or her original period of office if there is no successful by-election candidate or a by-election is not held.”
Ary Sharif took office in July 2011 after winning the March 2011 SU election in a Buzz Lightyear themed campaign promising to “take our opportunities and experiences to infinity and beyond”, and with aims of increasing resources at the Library.
Sharif has faced criticism for not putting the SU first, when he took a month’s leave in October to finish his dissertation while continuing his part-time work as a nightclub photographer.
More information is expected at Student Council on Monday, December 6th.