After serving in the ASUA Senate last semester, Sen. Marielos Castro has stepped down.

Castro decided to resign due to medical reasons. She said she has fainting spells and heart problems, and that being home is a much better decision for her right now.

Since Castro’s resignation, the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senate has held an open application process to fill the seat.

ASUA President James Allen said right now, although it is not officially confirmed, the person most likely to take Castro’s place is Marc Small, a sophomore studying pre-business and political science. The senate will vote on allowing Small to become the new senator on Jan. 11. Allen said that he, Castro and the rest of the senate have decided Small is the best candidate to fill her spot.

“I was prepared, showed determination and initiated projects for a semester compared to other senators, who have a year to complete projects,” Small said.

He said he will come up with his first project, through “ASUA Complain Day” if he is voted into the senate. The day would allow students to go to the UA Mall and write what they wanted changed within the university on chalkboards.

As a senator, Castro accomplished two out of her three goals. She set out to better inform UA students about Scholarship Universe and, in doing so, held a workshop in the Bear Down Gymnasium for students to learn about the website that matches UA students to scholarships they are eligible for. In addition, she was also able to make Scholarship Universe a tab on the UAccess website so it would be more accessible to students searching for scholarships. Holding a workshop to better inform students about financial aid opportunities here at the UA was the one goal Castro did not complete, though she said she hopes whoever fills her spot will.

“I am very grateful that the students voted me in and that I was elected,” Castro said. “I’m very thankful that I was able to do the things I said I was going to be able to do and I hope the person that comes into my position will be able to follow in those footsteps and go on to do what I was elected for.”

Castro officially announced her resignation at the ASUA Senate meeting on Dec. 7, 2011.

“She has been a remarkable senator,” said Chandni Patel, a member of the ASUA Senate.

Sen. Erik Lundstrom, a political science junior, said Castro did her job well.

“I just think she’s been an outstanding senator and has served her constituency with honor,” he said.

Sen. Danielle Dobrusin said that although Castro is facing some very serious challenges, she is someone to be admired because she has proven that hard work and determination lead to success.