Update, 11:19 a.m.:

Rasha Elwakil, after being voted out as UPUA president, provided Onward State with a statement on Thursday morning.

“I deeply care about UPUA and all the students across Penn State,” Elwakil said. “I joined the organization to advocate for the needs of those voices who often go unheard. At the end of the day, I will continue to advocate for student needs regardless of whatever position I hold. I wish everyone all the best, and I am here to still support all students!”

Original post:

Rasha Elwakil, elected president of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) three weeks ago, was removed from her position on Wednesday night by members of the assembly. Fletcher Port, her vice president, will assume the role.

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“After more than three hours of deliberation, three-quarters of the legislature found the removal of our former President Elwakil to be in the best interest of their constituents,” Port said in a statement alongside Speaker Kat Hogan. “The vote was considered with immense gravity and reflects the representatives’ integrity, values, and commitment to effective government.”

UPUA representatives debated behind a closed-door session on Wednesday night, and the organization did not provide a reason for Elwakil’s dismissal. UPUA also did not return a request for comment on Thursday morning.

Before her brief time as president, Elwakil served as UPUA’s vice president under Zion Sykes for a year. In that role, she created the Accessibility Task Force to promote a more accessible experience and environment for students. Before her time as vice president, Elwakil served on the first-year council and served as chair of justice as a sophomore.

Port, a junior studying mechanical engineering, previously served as the speaker of the assembly and an at-large representative. He’s also involved with Lion Ambassadors, THON, and the College of Engineering. He was sworn in on April 16 alongside Elwakil.

Elwakil and Port won a three-way race to take leadership of UPUA, defeating the Mike Fowler and Ben Lindgren ticket by 45 votes. The Joshua Meert and Samuel Conway ticket finished in third.

UPUA will work to select a new vice president, who will be confirmed by the legislative branch.

Elwakil did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Onward State.