Members of the Inter-Residence Hall Association said they were surprised by former IRHA President Keith Twombley’s decision to resign his position Tuesday night, but understood his reasons for doing so.

Twombley announced his resignation in an e-mail to IRHA Vice President Jessi Raim and the Daily. Twombley, who recently suffered symptoms of a heart attack, cited needing to work a second job to pay off large medical bills as his reason for leaving the position. Raim is now listed as president on the IRHA Web site, www.irha.us, and is charged with finding a replacement for the vacant vice president seat, whose main duty is running meetings.

Twombley could not be reached for comment.

Colleen Prosser, Towers Residence Association treasurer, said she knew of the large amount of money Twombley owes for medical bills. “That is a lot of money to be put on someone in the middle of the semester,” she said.

Prosser said she understands why he is leaving. “The transition of power happens soon,” she said, referring to Wednesday’s IRHA elections.

A bill calling for Twombley’s impeachment, which could be declared out of order in the wake of Twombley’s resignation, was to be introduced at Thursday’s meeting, said Union Drive Association At-Large Brandon Judas.

The bill cited Twombley’s violation of the number of allowed excused absences to IRHA meetings as the reason for the impeachment.

Judas said members are allowed two unexcused absences and after the third, the vice president is required to draw up an impeachment bill.

After speaking with people close to Twombley, Judas said he believed resignation was the best option for Twombley.

Carlyn Goebel, IRHA director of special events, said she was somewhat surprised by his resignation because it is so late in the semester. She said she heard from one of Twombley’s friends he was considering resigning, but had not yet heard it directly from Twombley.

She said she knew Twombley had been worried about not having enough time for all his duties and believes he made the right decision for himself. “Something had to give,” Goebel said.

She said she knew Twombley had been unhappy with the Department of Residence and said he believed IRHA was not being heard by the organization, but was uncertain if that had been a factor in his decision.

Prosser said a person will be appointed as temporary vice president to run weekly meetings.

There are just enough weeks left in the semester that it is important to get someone seated, she said.