SGA President James Rudolph resigned from his position Thursday claiming he needed to consentrate on graduation requirements. Speaker of the Senate Will Hampton also put in his letter of resignation.
"I have done as much as I could for this organization," Rudolph said. "But in doing so I have gotten away from the reason I am in college-I must step away now."
Consequently, psychology major Karimeh Abdel-Jaber, 21, was named president of the SGA and said she is up to the new challenges.
"I wasn't expecting this," Abdel-Jaber said. "I loved working with James."
Hampton said he still plans to remain active in the SGA as a Senator.
"I plan on remaining a Senator and continue my diligent work for the betterment of The University of Memphis students," Hampton said.
Adam Comer has taken over as speaker of the senate and the position of vice president is still open.
Abdel-Jaber has been involved with the SGA for five semesters. She said one of the things she enjoys is being the voice of the students.
"The SGA (is) the go-between (for) the students, dean and president," Abdel-Jaber said.
Abdel-Jaber also said she liked lobbying in Nashville for more funding. She said her biggest accomplishment was working with other senators at the SGA retreat last semester when she was vice president. Her goal was for the members of the SGA to understand what the organization was all about.
"I wanted to make sure everyone knew how to use parliamentary procedures correctly and to find out what the students wanted," she said.
She said after the retreat everyone was on the same page.
Abdel-Jaber also has another goal she hopes to accomplish this semester. Project Unite is a diversity program co-sponsored by SGA, The Student Activities Council and the Black Student Association.
Abdel-Jaber said the program is aimed at bringing students from other cultures and backgrounds together.
Abdel-Jaber said there would be a Unity Gala to celebrate the end of the project in the spring. The affair is semi-formal, free and open to all students. Last year, the festivities were held at the Yacht Club.
In April, Abdel-Jaber will find herself with another challenge-running for a full term as SGA president.
"But I am ready for the challenge," she said.
