His mother’s illness taking a toll on his ability to work effectively, Ricky Junquera left the Student Union with the intention to return in the fall and run for Union President, the former secretary told The Daily Free Press.

“My mom had been sick, and it’s gotten worse,” the College of General Studies sophomore said. “It was hard for me to deal with that, schoolwork and the Union. Last semester, I never had time for myself between the Union, school work and jobs. I never had time for my friends. I maxed out my time, and I broke down. It was too much.”

Although Junquera resigned at the beginning of the semester, he said the thought of resignation was on his mind for a long time before that.

“I had been thinking about it for a while, even before break,” he said. “I took the opportunity to resign during the first meeting because it would give them time to find a new secretary.”

When he returned to Boston in the first week of January following winter break, he made the official decision to resign.

“I got back to school on January fourth,” Junquera said. “I was working on the consortium for the Union. When I came back from seeing my mom, I realized I needed to make a change.”

Junquera’s Union colleague and friend, Tyler Ramaker, said although the Union was important to Junquera, academics took precedence.

“I know how dedicated he was,” the College of Arts and Sciences junior said. “He did a lot of work. It’s important, but school comes first.”

Junquera said most Union members knew about the possibility of his resignation, but his announcement at the first union meeting of the semester still came as a shock.

“They’ve known I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” he said. “A lot knew that I wasn’t doing too well, but not that I would resign. They thought I was joking.”

Union president Jon Marker said when Junquera told him of his decision the afternoon before the meeting, it was unexpected.

“I had no idea it was going to happen,” the CAS junior said. “I think it’s unfortunate. He put in a great effort. But I fully respect his decision; it’s what’s right.”

Union Vice President Jonah Goldberg said he was glad Junquera notified him of his resignation the afternoon before the meeting.

“I’m glad he didn’t shock me by announcing it at the meeting,” the College of Communication junior said. “He did what he had to do.”

Union treasurer Caroline Cahill said his resignation was unexpected, but the executive board understands why he made the decision to resign.

Junquera said despite his resignation, he would be involved in the Union again in the future.

“I’m trying to see how I can balance everything this semester,” he said, “with the thought that I will run for presidency at the end of the semester.”

As far as filling the secretarial position, Marker said he thinks there will be another secretary before the end of the semester. The Union is still searching for a candidate to replace him.

According to Marker, the Union representatives will discuss how to fill the position at the union retreat this weekend.

As far as the election process, in last Monday’s meeting, General Assembly members expressed a desire to see more than one option for secretarial candidate.

According to the Union constitution, the president must appoint a nominee for secretary, and receive a simple majority in order to be elected.

Although in the past, only one candidate was brought before the union, bringing a number of candidates before the General Assembly would not require a suspension of the constitutional rules, according to Goldberg.