ESS president resigns, investigation ongoing
"I want to emphasize that this resignation is not an admission of guilt," former Engineering Students' Society president says in his resignation letter.
Rosty SorokaAamir Mohamed, former 2024–25 president of the University of Alberta Engineering Students’ Society (ESS), resigned from the role on March 13, 2025. The ESS provides services and events for engineering students, and serves as a representative body within the university.
The ESS Board of Directors called an emergency meeting on March 13, which began at 8:01 p.m.. According to the minutes, the first motion to go in-camera passed, while the second one failed. The first discussion item — put forward by the Engineering Physics Club — said that “following the discussion of Misconduct of a Physical Nature by ESS President with the Board of Directors,” the “Engineering Physics Club has decided to proceed with the impeachment process.”
Mohamed’s resignation letter did not specify the reason for stepping down. Mohamed wrote that the decision came “after reflecting on recent discussions during the Board of Directors meeting.”
“Considering what is best for both the student community and the organization as a whole, I believe it is time for me to step down. I want to emphasize that this resignation is not an admission of guilt regarding the concerns discussed.”
Mohamed was unable to provide comment in time for The Gateway‘s publication deadline.
Investigation is ongoing, board to release statement soon
According to the emergency meeting’s minutes, because Mohamed resigned, the board could no longer move forward with impeachment.
Mohamed ran for vice-president (academic) in the 2025 UASU elections, and is currently running to be an engineering councillor on both the UASU Students’ Council and General Faculties Council (GFC).
According to the minutes, an ESS vice-president (social events) said that students voting in the GFC election “will not be aware as the resignation letter does not mention anything of the issue.” A vice-president (internal affairs) asked if the board could “publicly disclose loosely what is happening.”
Board Chair Charlotte Andrist replied that the board can’t reveal what was said in-camera. The board members signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), meaning that everything said in-camera is confidential. A vice-president (external) said they believe the board has put itself “at risk based on how we are influencing the [SU and GFC election] as a student entity.”
Andrist reminded the board that there is an ongoing investigation. She clarified that those under the NDA can reach out to her, but personal statements can still be made.
“This is an unprecedented situation. [It] has not happened before and is a very severe issue. [We] will need to see how the investigation goes,” Andrist said according to the minutes.
Andrist declined providing comment to The Gateway, but said the board will release a statement soon.
