2008 Woodie Awards
Bookkeeper's Resignation Withdrawal is Unsuccessful
Jessica Havery
Issue date: 12/9/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
SGA bookkeeper Salikha Berkovich will be leaving her job of eight years at the end of this semester, Student Government Association Treasurer, Matt Wilder, said.
The departure comes after an unsuccessful attempt to withdraw her resignation.
According to Berkovich, SGA President Jacob V. Hudnut did not acknowledge, verbally or in writing, her letter requesting to maintain her position as an employee of the SGA.
In an attempt to rescind her resignation, which Berkovich said was submitted in "haste and frustration," she wrote that "it [was her] sincere desire to continue to serve the students of Montclair State University."
"Salikha's decision to pursue other opportunities saddens many in the SGA, but overall we wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors," Hudnut said.
Growing frustrations with the workplace environment of the SGA office are what ultimately led to Berkovich's decision to resign, Berkovich said.
"My suggestion for the future of the SGA is to communicate with their employees. It is a very important concern and, in my opinion, the key to the success of this organization," Berkovich said.
One discrepancy between Berkovich and Hudnut was the mandated lunch hour that Hudnut instituted this semester, Berkovich said. Hudnut installed time clocks to monitor the working hours of SGA employees. Rather than taking a one-hour lunch break, Berkovich preferred to work through the mandatory lunch hour and leave work early, she said.
"My desire to leave work early in lieu of taking a lunch break was due to the necessity of caring for my child," Berkovich said. "It was not because of a lack of motivation to work. I always got my job done."
"It's unfortunate that Salikha will be leaving under the present circumstances," said Matt Wilder, SGA treasurer. "The decision that was made wasn't communicated effectively with the Executive Board, as it should have been." At a farewell party held for Berkovich yesterday afternoon, students and faculty gathered to honor the eight years of service that she provided the SGA.
"Losing [Berkovich] is not in the best interest of the SGA," said Orville Morales, president of the Latin American Student Organization, a Class I organization of the SGA. "It is commendable to see someone willing to give up her lunch break, recognizing the needs of others."
"I would like to see more smiles and a more friendly environment in the SGA," Berkovich said. Working in the office during the 2002-2003 year under Chris Fitzpatrick as president of the SGA was fun, Berkovich said.
"That is the atmosphere that workers would like to work in. Not only did we acomplish what he needed to do; we had fun at the same time," she said.
The departure comes after an unsuccessful attempt to withdraw her resignation.
According to Berkovich, SGA President Jacob V. Hudnut did not acknowledge, verbally or in writing, her letter requesting to maintain her position as an employee of the SGA.
In an attempt to rescind her resignation, which Berkovich said was submitted in "haste and frustration," she wrote that "it [was her] sincere desire to continue to serve the students of Montclair State University."
"Salikha's decision to pursue other opportunities saddens many in the SGA, but overall we wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors," Hudnut said.
Growing frustrations with the workplace environment of the SGA office are what ultimately led to Berkovich's decision to resign, Berkovich said.
"My suggestion for the future of the SGA is to communicate with their employees. It is a very important concern and, in my opinion, the key to the success of this organization," Berkovich said.
One discrepancy between Berkovich and Hudnut was the mandated lunch hour that Hudnut instituted this semester, Berkovich said. Hudnut installed time clocks to monitor the working hours of SGA employees. Rather than taking a one-hour lunch break, Berkovich preferred to work through the mandatory lunch hour and leave work early, she said.
"My desire to leave work early in lieu of taking a lunch break was due to the necessity of caring for my child," Berkovich said. "It was not because of a lack of motivation to work. I always got my job done."
"It's unfortunate that Salikha will be leaving under the present circumstances," said Matt Wilder, SGA treasurer. "The decision that was made wasn't communicated effectively with the Executive Board, as it should have been." At a farewell party held for Berkovich yesterday afternoon, students and faculty gathered to honor the eight years of service that she provided the SGA.
"Losing [Berkovich] is not in the best interest of the SGA," said Orville Morales, president of the Latin American Student Organization, a Class I organization of the SGA. "It is commendable to see someone willing to give up her lunch break, recognizing the needs of others."
"I would like to see more smiles and a more friendly environment in the SGA," Berkovich said. Working in the office during the 2002-2003 year under Chris Fitzpatrick as president of the SGA was fun, Berkovich said.
"That is the atmosphere that workers would like to work in. Not only did we acomplish what he needed to do; we had fun at the same time," she said.