A statement from a UF student

Out of respect for every student, UF’s Student Code of Conduct and the legacy of The Gator Nation, Student Body President-elect Smith Meyers should step down immediately.

Meyers’ unopposed campaign has made him more than just a campus representative. He will be placed on UF’s Board of Trustees as the only student to serve as our voice. The president’s advocacy for students extends to meetings with politicians from local to national levels. Such a privileged position demands someone who can be trusted.

Instead, Meyers’ Spring Break endeavors have painted him as careless, with a lack of regard for his prestigious role within Florida’s best public university. We deserve better.

Meyers’ statement claiming commitment to character is all but promising, and it’s not enough to ensure UF is being represented by its best. Student Body President Susan Webster’s comments attempt to defend Meyers by claiming his behavior was “out of character.”

If character is what counts, then “out of character” is unacceptable. Meyers must resign.

Megan Newsome is a UF astronomy and physics junior.