Thomas Gerloff, the president of the GCC Associated Student Government (ASG), was given the options of being expelled from campus or resigning his position due to a an official complaint made by a student that Gerloff assaulted him by punching him in the stomach.

According to Gerloff, he walked into his office on Wednesday Feb. 16 and made note that his office smelled bad. Then, Steven Haggare, a GCC student, made an obscene comment about Gerloff’s mother.

“I walked in the office,” said Gerloff. “I said it stunk. He made his comment. He got half way through his comment and then I punched him in his stomach.”

Haggare filed an official complaint with College Safety who turned the matter over to Donna White, dean of Student Life, who confirmed that Gerloff will be resigning. The Student Handbook reads, “Every employee, student and visitor on Maricopa Community College District property is encouraged to report threats or acts of physical violence of which he/she is aware. All reports will be taken seriously and will be dealt with appropriately.” The handbook also states, “This policy applies to employees and students, as well as independent contractors and other non-employees doing business with the Maricopa Community Colleges. Individuals who commit such acts may be removed from the premises and may be subject to disciplinary action, criminal penalties, or both.”

Gerloff’s actions did not affect his involvement in the GCC Presidential Search Committee or the GCC Master Planning Committee, both of which he is a member of.

Before being president, Gerloff served as the ASG public relations officer for two semesters in 2004 and then ran and won presidency in the fall semester of the same year.

Gerloff does not regret making his choice of action due to his beliefs, “In my office there is no mama jokes.”