Two executive members of the Penn State College Republicans announced their resignations and decisions to leave the organization late last week.

Group President Brian Battaglia and former Secretary Tiffany Iriana announced Thursday night that they no longer wanted to remain group leaders or members, citing "internal strife."

Following last semester's controversy surrounding a Halloween party held at Battaglia's apartment, many heads of student groups and university administrators criticized the organization and its leaders.

"I have led the club through controversy and criticism as best as I knew how, but now the club faces challenges through which I am not equipped to guide it," he wrote in an official letter of resignation.

In the resignation, which was distributed via the College Republicans' e-mail list, Battaglia said he could no longer lead the group because of internal strife, which he said had consumed much of his college career.

"There is no way for the club to win a civil war. I am resigning because I have already been witness to too much bloodshed. It must stop now, further conflict is certain to be disastrous," he wrote.

Iriana said the decision to leave was very painful.

Her written resignation said, "The events of the past two months have left me with the unshakeable conviction that I can no longer remain a member. I cannot be a part of a group that forces me to pit myself against those I care about to do what is right, both in the interest of general human decency and in that of the organization."

Iriana also said she resigned because she has other things on which to focus, and the conflicts in the group were not the primary reasons for leaving.

"I left for professional reasons. I am going to focus on helping Bush get re-elected," she said.

She added that conflict within the group had been occurring before and after last semester's incidents.

"The internal strife and bickering within this group has disheartened and distressed me to the point that I can no longer work within this group," she said in her resignation.

The letter also stated some members in the group were not accurately representing the purpose of the organization.

"[The group's purpose] is not advocacy for campus issues or picking fights with people or groups who have previously bruised our egos," she wrote.

After last semester's incidents, Black Caucus pushed heavily for the resignation of Battaglia and other members. However, Black Caucus acting Vice President Ed Smith said the group does not care about his resignation or anything to do with the club.

"I am sure that his resignation was not genuine. He had other pressures besides us," he said.

College Republicans Vice President Rich Pastena said he will act as chair until the group's meeting on Wednesday. He added members would discuss its future plans and direction during the meeting.

"Brian made a really hard decision. It was totally his choice. He was going through a lot, so I know it was tough for him to make his decision," he said.

Pastena said he was not subjected personally to the same amount of stress, and Battaglia did everything he could to lead the club.

"His name got dragged through the mud through all this; he felt he had done all he could for the club. He just decided to put his efforts in other places," he said.

Pastena said the club can still work together and move forward.

"We are more than just some controversy; we don't want this to be all we are about," he said. "It does not have to be overbearing on the club."

Andy Banducci, College Republicans treasurer, said Battaglia has been a good chair despite the controversy.

"It is a detriment to the club," he said. "I am not entirely surprised because of all the pressure; it's not surprising he wants to step back."