Four-year Undergraduate Student Government senator, Mike Fazio resigned from the organization, effective as of last night's meeting.

Fazio attributes the decision to his new student status, having recently completed his degree program last semester, although he will still remain on campus as an intern in the Office of Residence Life in East Halls.

"I am looking forward to this opportunity as a new challenge and a way to begin my career in higher education," he wrote in his resignation letter.

Fazio started his senate career in the fall of his freshman year, when he filled one of two vacant East Halls seats.

One of these openings was left by former senate president and current Town Sen. Jason Covener after he was arrested and then resigned following an investigation related to computer tampering in the USG office.

"When I first got in, (the) senate was in total disarray under the leadership of Jason Covener," Fazio explained. "Senate had really hit rock bottom. But there were still a lot of good people there who worked hard and taught me a lot."

Fazio went on to serve as Research and Action Committee Chair and liaison to the association of Residence Hall Students.

As a junior, Fazio was then elected to the position of senate president.

"That was a good year," he said, citing accomplishments such as adding a seat on the Faculty Senate for the senate president and having more administrators speak at meetings.

He also said that Unity Week, a USG initiative, spearheaded by then Town Sen. Marc Morgan, which offers programs about hate, sexual assault and rape, and campus awareness and racism, was also a significant step for the group.

Fazio, whose most recent position was as Town Caucus Chair, said that the recently reported conflict in senate did not influence his decision to resign.

"There was still productivity, the steps we have taken over the past few years have kept us productive despite the recent turmoil," he said. "Senate needs good people who can work together."

Fazio added that the senate's primary purpose should always be to better student life, enhance out of the classroom experience and work with student affairs.

USG President Justin Zartman said that Fazio personified these principles.

"Regardless of what was asked of him, Mike was serving students in all capacities," Zartman said. "He was the most dedicated student leader."

Town Sen. Bridget Van Osten agreed that Fazio positively influenced the senate.

"He was very active and always tried to do things unbiasedly, respectably and fairly," she added.

Fazio now plans on pursuing a master's degree of higher education and student affairs.

"I would like to be remembered for sticking with senate," he said. "I made the commitment early on and always saw the group's potential."