Some are leaving because of opportunities or frustration. For others, it's just their time to go. Wednesday night was the last Senate meeting for senators who will not be returning in the fall.
Sen. Da Vonda Bowens, who was elected in spring, said she is resigning before her term is up to transfer to Eastern New Mexico University and pursue an education degree. She said she wants to be closer to her sister, who goes to Texas Tech University and her family in Clovis.
She said her most memorable experience as an ASUNM senator was when Vice President Chris Mansfield thought she flipped him off during a full Senate meeting. She said she is now on good terms with Mansfield, though they're not best friends.
"He still hasn't apologized for his assumption, but I won't let that stop me from doing my job," she said.
Bowens said she will not miss seeing her name in the Daily Lobo or listening to people's closing comments at the end of meetings.
"It's a time for anybody to bicker and complain," she said.
Bowens said she has learned to deal with people who have different perspectives and will miss agreeing and disagreeing with her fellow senators.
"I like to see people getting heated over little, itty-bitty issues," she said.
Bowens said she is looking forward to seeing the next black, female ASUNM senator.
"I wonder what her experience will be like compared to mine," she said.
Andrea Gunderson, who became a senator in 1999, resigned from Senate after Spring Break because she said she was unhappy with its segregation. She said the slates that people ran on during election time carried over to full senate meetings - making work hard to accomplish.
Gunderson said the highlight of her ASUNM career was her position as Finance chairwoman in fall 2000.
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"I worked the hardest then and put in the most hours," she said.
Gunderson said being a senator has taught her how to compromise and work with others.
"I've learned ways to get things done without having to cause unnecessary scenes or disrespect to people," she said.
She said she will miss her ASUNM duties but wants to focus on internships and school.
Sen. Joshua Aragon said he doesn't know if he'll be able to leave ASUNM once his term is up.
"I might apply for a committee," he said.
Sen. Aimee duPlessis said she will miss the arguments that occur when people stop watching the clock during meetings and focus on the issues.
"I think that's when we shine best," she said.
Duplessis said her experiences in Senate have taught her how to stop and listen to people instead thinking of her next argument. Her one-year term is up at the end of this semester, and she said she won't miss spending four hours in a meeting on every other Wednesday night.
Duplessis was an ASUNM elections commissioner in fall and said she enjoyed perusing campus on election day.
"You can't ever beat a time when you get to play with walkie talkies," she said.
Other senators who are leaving include Joshua Aragon, Josh Ewing and Gerald Pacheco. Sen. Ahna Mee said she plans to stay involved with ASUNM, as does Sen. Steve Aguilar who will be the vice president and Andrea Cook who will be president. Sen. Evan Kist said he is unsure what he will be doing next fall.
