For the sixth time in the last four years, the key to ASMSU’s chief of staff office has been turned in early.

Nimri Niemchak, the undergraduate student government’s most recent chief, turned his key ring in Wednesday in exchange for a NASA ID card.

Niemchak will intern at NASA this summer.

“I wish Nimri the best and I don’t blame him for leaving ASMSU,” said Quinn Wright, Student Assembly chairperson. “NASA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - for some it’s a never-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Niemchak’s early departure continued a tradition of chief-of-staff early turnover for ASMSU. The last time a person held the position for its full-year term was in 1997.

The position pays $1,620 for three semesters of overseeing day-to-day operations and managing several ASMSU departments.

“If he was going to leave this is the best time,” Wright said. “Summer is a little slower because most members are out of town.”

However, Academic Assembly chairperson Matt Clayson, said the sooner a new employee is found, the better.

“A chief of staff is essential for having a productive year,” he said. “It’s an important position to bring some continuity to the organization.”

Wright says the organization would most like to find someone who will stay for at least a full year.

“This is a student organization, so it’s natural to have a lot of turnover - nobody expects it to be a career,” he said. “But in the same token, it’d be nice to have somebody stick around for a while.”

Applications can be picked up at 308 Student Services and will be accepted for at least the next 10 days. All undergraduates are eligible.