SGA President suspended indefinitely

By Alexa Epitropoulos | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The president of the Flagler College Student Government Association has been suspended, according to Director of Student Activities Carly James.

David Arreola, who was inducted as president in April 2013, was suspended by Student Services on Jan. 14 after evidence of a December arrest came to light. His suspension presents a unique problem for SGA and Student Services, which haven’t faced a similar situation in recent years.

Arreola was charged with a DUI in the early morning of Dec. 24, court records obtained from Alachua County reveal. The case is currently open and a pre-trial conference is scheduled to take place in February.

Arreola’s future with the SGA could remain in question for weeks. Because it occurred so recently, James says it is difficult to know how long the review of Arreola’s suspension will take.

“Right now it’s only been a few days,” James said. “We don’t operate on rumors.”

Until the decision is made, SGA Vice President Eddie Oinonen will step in as acting president. If Arreola is removed from office, Oinonen will take on the position permanently. Oinonen declined to comment on Arreola’s suspension or the Office of Student Services’ pending review.

“SGA will continue on its agenda and we will address any and all circumstances as they take place,” Oinonen said, “We will refrain from speculation as to any future events.”

Arreola’s suspension comes as a first for many currently involved in SGA. The last president to be removed from office was Brandon Collins in 2007.

Although reached out to by the Gargoyle, Arreola did not respond to requests for a comment.