Officials said they understood the logic behind Student Trustee Christina Henke's early resignation, and expressed optimism about a smooth transition for her replacement.

Citing rigorous academic requirements, Henke told the University Student Advisory Board last Thursday she plans to end her term as the governor-appointed trustee member after the July 1989 meeting. Her term was to officially expire in July 1990.

Undergraduate Student Government President Seth Williams said he agrees with Henke's decision, adding she is doing what she feels is best for the students.

"She is doing the responsible thing. If her studies are going to be too much then she is doing the right thing," he added.

Lt. Gov. Mark S. Singel said he has known Henke to be a brilliant scholar and commends the reasons behind her decision.

"Her reasons are not only legitimate, but it is also very commendable for her to recognize the time constraints connected with her studies," he said.

Graduate Student Association President Ken Martin said he was not pleased with the announcement, but understood why she made the decision.

"If she truly feels that she's going to have to devote more time toward her research, then I guess she's making the right decision," he said. "I'd rather have a student that would be active in working with the board."

Henke called her recent appointment to the board's finance committee one of her most important achievements, and probably one of her last. "I'm the first student trustee to be on that committee. Being on that committee will increase dialogue 400 percent," said Henke.

Henke said although she hopes her new position will set a precedent for future student trustees, she believes the next student trustee will "have to earn the position."

Martin said he could not list any of Henke's specific accomplishments on the board, but refrained from saying that she had no successes.

"Maybe some important things went on behind the scenes that I haven't been able to see," he said.

Commonwealth Campus Student Government Coordinator Tony Bottino said he does not view Henke's decision as negative, explaining that it is only fair to allow someone who can contribute more time to assume the position.

"She seemed very upset about resigning and I'd have to think that she made the right decision," he said.

Henke said she has recently received notification that she successfully passed her doctorate candidacy test in molecular and cell biology, which means hours of laboratory work and numerous publication deadlines.

University President Bryce Jordan is out of town until Friday and could not be reached for comment. Trustees Mimi Coppersmith and Ben Novak did not return repeated telephone calls this week.

Henke said her early resignation will not hurt students. If anything, resigning a year early while remaining on campus will be a plus, she added. "My presence on campus is going to help in assuring a strong transition," she said.

When asked if accepting a shorter term may have been more appropriate concerning the level of her studies, Henke said it was not within her power to accept anything other than the full three-year term.

"Because I was going to be here for at least three years, the governor appointed me for a three-year term," she said. "Suggesting a different term is something that never enters into your selection process."

In defense of Henke's situation, Martin said it is impossible to target requirements of a doctorate degree two years in advance. "Until you actually experience the doctorate work, you can't guess what commitments will be needed," he added.

Henke replaced Mary Greeley-Beahm as student trustee in the summer of 1987. Greeley-Beahm was completing the final year of former trustee Jay Claster and expected to be re-appointed for a full three-year term. However, William Schreyer, chairman and chief executive officer of Merill Lynch, was given the trustee term by the Thornburgh administration.

Student leaders at the time were concerned about Greeley-Beahm not serving a full term, fearing that student representation on the board was in danger.

During her selection process in the summer of 1987, Henke outlined certain goals, including a better balance between research and undergraduate education, she hoped to achieve as student trustee.

After her two-year stint, Henke said she was able to communicate to the highest University officials the importance of a quality undergraduate education.

"I have been able to get information across to University officials about training new professors in good communication skills, examination methods and advising techniques," she said.

Another one of her goals was University divestment of holdings in South Africa, which she said at the time of her appointment was closely connected to improved minority retention.

The board divested at its September 1987 meeting, before Henke was able to become fully involved with the board. But Henke said she was able to contact key board members before the meeting and encouraged them to divest.

"Their final statements concerning divestment contained much of my logic," she added.

Martin said he was wary of crediting Henke with a large role in divestment, adding that it was a decision that surprised even the board members themselves.

"I highly doubt that there was any new logic by the time of divestment since it was an issue for over two years," he said. "And any logic that Henke used probably wasn't used for the first time."