Associated Student Government President Daniel Gai resigned from office on Tuesday, April 5 after dropping all of his courses, which was in violation of the ASG requirements for being in office. Gai withdrew from his classes in early March with the intention of devoting more time to student government.
Gai said he was overwhelmed by the accumulating responsibility of ASG, classes, and his personal life.
“I’d noticed that he was obviously working a lot more on ASG stuff,” said Executive Vice President Vanessa Cabrera. “He was much more involved than any of us. He was very dedicated.”
The stress of all three impacted Gai’s ability to do what he cared about most, which was leading the student body. Conflicted, Gai chose ASG over school. “I strived to represent the student body,” explained Gai.
The ASG Constitution, Article V, Section 2, states that to be an ASG officer, “All officers shall retain a minimum of six units and a 2.0 cumulative GPA.” Gai said he had misunderstood the minimum unit load requirement believing he only had to register for six units, not maintain them. “I believed that I could still get away with what I was doing under my own interpretation,” said Gai.
“His heart was in the right place,” said Cabrera, “It’s just that he went against the rules. He didn’t let anybody know. That’s what is kind of hurtful because we’re all supposed to be a group.”
Student Activities discovered Gai was not enrolled in classes when they verified ASG applicant signatures. While officials were reviewing the collected applicant support signatures, Gai’s name kept coming up as “not enrolled.” When confronted about this, Gai realized that his only option was to step down and send out his resignation letter via e-mail to his colleagues.
“He’s not afraid to apologize,” Cabrera said. “If he knows he’s wrong, then he’s wrong. He’s not going to be arrogant about it.” Cabrera said she previoualy suggested that “there should be an evaluation on everybody in ASG. Now I understood why he didn’t want that.”
For Gai, the resignation has not been easy. “This is something that’s really been troubling. I’m so upset and disappointed with myself,” he said.
Cabrera said the situation will hurt how the ASG is percieved by the students and clubs they represent.
“I know that there are people on campus that have been not in favor of ASG and they’re going to scrutinize ASG even more,” Cabrera said. “But we who have been here know what ASG is about. They know the work that goes into it and how much work you put into it.”
According to Cabrera, the issue could spark routine evaluations of ASG members to make sure that they are doing well in their classes while still being able to stay committed to the student body. If a member is having trouble maintaining the required 2.0 cumulative GPA, Cabrera says that the ASG is supportive enough so they can “Do what [they] need to do so [their] academics don’t fail.”
Cabrera said, “Everybody’s here for the same reason and that is to receive an education.” She added that an evaluation “at least once a month would be great.”
According to Cabrera, ASG is now faced with the task of reviewing the progress that was made between March 8 and April 5. It is possible that ASG will have to recommission the previously passed legislation. Under the leadership of Rebecca Ashjian, previously the legislative vice president, now standing in as
President for ASG.
“We’re still focusing on accomplishing what we have to finish,” said Ashjian. “We’re still moving, still on track.”
Ashjian says one of the things ASG is focusing on is a smooth transition from the old administration to the new one. “We have a lot of potential ASG candidates right now.”
The ASG plans to stand by the Rally for Community Unity, going through with plans concerning the possible reform of FCC’s smoking policy, as well as the recently passed Ram-Pantry, regardless of if these things were done under Gai’s signature during the time he was in office illegally.
Of the remaining ASG staff Gai says, “They have to stay together, and there can’t be an internal power struggle.” Gai said he heard rumors that some ASG members are vying for his position. “They have to stay focused on student advocacy,” urges Gai. “Just because I’m not there anymore does not mean that the strategic plan is not in place. It’s still in place, you guys [ASG] just have to finish it.”
Gai says that he will not be returning to Fresno City College until the summer. He hopes to finish the classes he dropped and be able to start classes at Fresno State in the fall. “I have to get my life back together,” he said.
“He was here for the students,” Cabrera said on Gai’s legacy. “He helped a lot of students on campus like DSP&S students. He brought them in under his wing to make sure that they felt comfortable, to make sure they were being listened to. He tried to make everybody feel comfortable that way.”
According to Cabrera, things Gai implemented while president was a stricter office policy that allowed for a better work atmosphere, as well as moving to have ASG work alongside the administration to have a voice for the students.
“No one’s going to forget who Daniel Gai is,” Cabrera said. “For good or for bad, he’s done a lot of great things.”
