Associated Students, Inc. is scrambling to replace six key positions in President Artemio Pimentel’s administration that started with the executive director’s resignation and most recently Chief of Staff Kevin Greene.

When Carol Ackerson resigned as executive director last summer, it was the first ripple in a wave of ASI defections.

“Some people left because of personal problems and others got better job offers elsewhere; everyone has their own opinion,” Pimentel said.

Greene, who made appearances for the president, wrote legislation and crafted speeches, left ASI between semesters.

“My leave may put a lot of strain on productivity and the ability to follow through with issues. I know Art will be replacing my position as well as the others very soon.”

“The Chief of Staff position acts as an adviser, manages issues between the staff and board, and deals with the occasional personal, political b******t.” Greene said.

Greene declined to elaborate further. Even the person Pimentel picked to head up he executive director serach has left.

Shara Perkins, who headed the search committee to replace Ackerson, left Sac State altogether before the job was done.

Director of Business Ryan Murphy also left the board shortly after Perkins’ resignation. He has refused to comment publicly on his decision to leave. Former Vice President of University Affairs Calvin Davis was the first elected official to leave Pimentel’s administration last semester under a cloud of uncertainty.

“Calvin never turned in a letter of resignation; he did come in and pick up his stuff from the office, though,” Pimentel said.

“I never expected him to turn a letter in. I think he just wanted to get on with his life and put ASI behind him.”

Lisanne Nakayama, former director of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, has now taken Davis’ seat as the interim vice president of University Affairs, leaving the Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies seat vacant.

Some critics question whether the slate system that has taken over the student elections produces the most efficient, harmonious form of student government.

Greene, Murphy and Perkins all ran on the Support US slate last spring, while Pimentel and most of the board ran on the Vision slate.

Despite his personnel woes, Pimentel doesn’t believe the slate system contributed to the current defections.

“Slates do well if you have a good leader,” Pimentel said. “Slates bring people together and get them involved on campus; it brings a common unity.”

Nakayama, a Support US member, recollects that in the beginning, there were a few obstacles to overcome with the variety of slates in office.

“When I was Director of SSIS, it was hard to work with the students from the Vision slate, and that was because I didn’t know them well enough. I didn’t know how their agenda was going to affect our agenda,” Nakayama said.

“We did some great things together, though. Slates are set up to help others be more financially accessible; it also helps students work better together.”

Observers say that the most damaging blow might have been when Director of Finance and Administration Janet Rice left her post earlier this month.

Rice is credited with providing the strong managerial hand ASI needed to recover from a $300,000 deficit two years ago.

Rice now works for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency.

Vacant ASI student positions include Director of Business, Director of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Chief of Staff, and Vice President of University Affairs.

Students can apply at the ASI offices on the third floor of the University Union.