Student Government Association President Grant Cochran has resigned in the midst of an investigation into irregularities that occurred in the selections process for the SGA’s First Year Council, a freshman leadership forum within the student government.

“After deep thought and much consideration, I have decided to step down from my position as SGA President,” Cochran said in a statement. “I do not want to provide a distraction that takes SGA away from our primary purpose of serving students. I am proud of the accomplishments of my administration, and I can leave this office knowing that I worked every day to serve the students.”

Cochran is the first SGA president not to complete his term in office since Oakley W. Melton, Jr. in 1950. He was elected on March 8 of this year, defeating opponent Coresa Nancy Hogan with 58 percent of the vote.

Stephen Swinson, who had served as the Executive Vice President of the SGA, was sworn in to replace Cochran as SGA President Friday at 7:33 p.m. Article IV, Section 7 of the SGA Constitution states that the Executive Vice President shall, “Assume the office of the President if the office becomes vacant for any reason, or if the President request the Executive Vice President to serve in the President’s absence.”

“I want to thank Grant Cochran for his service to the University of Alabama,” Swinson said in a statement. “I am also confident that SGA will continue to move forward towards a better, more unified UA. I am fully committed to an SGA that works every day to earn the trust of the entire student body.”

Swinson has called a special session of the SGA Senate tonight at 7 p.m. The location will be announced this morning.

“I have great confidence in the abilities of Stephen Swinson and the rest of this SGA, and I know that great things will come from the remainder of this year,” Cochran said.

The SGA was unable to provide information about how Cochran was connected to the investigation or the specific irregularities that have occurred.

“There is still an ongoing investigation, so I cannot comment on any allegations at this point,” SGA communications director Seth Morrow said. “There were irregularities in the applications and Attorney General David Simpson reviewed the applications and confirmed irregularities.”

When asked whether the UA administration was involved in the investigation and whether the University had acquired any written testimony or depositions from SGA officials, spokeswoman Cathy Andreen provided the following statement: “Students who violate the Student Code of Conduct are referred to Judicial Affairs; that process as well as potential sanctions are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, which is posted online. Student disciplinary records are protected from disclosure by federal privacy laws.”

Cochran was the second SGA leader to resign in the past week, following First Year Council director Sara Lavender’s decision to step down Wednesday.