Associated Student Senate President Camila Avendano will be in Chile indefinitely as she awaits a green card from the U.S. Embassy in Santiago.

“This is really out of my hands, and I don’t know when I’ll be coming back,” Avendano said in an e-mail to The Channels.

She has now missed more than two weeks of class, and is “seriously thinking about dropping some classes,” and retaking them in Spring 2010, Avendano said.

Students can withdraw from classes until March 27 without receiving a failing grade.

“Most instructors allow only three absences until they drop a student,” said Carola Smith, senior director of international programs.

Avendano, an international student, left City College on Feb. 26 after her parents won the immigration lottery. She was expected to return Monday.

The immigration lottery is a way for non-citizens to legally obtain citizenship in the United States. Avendano and her family have been interviewed and are now waiting to receive their permanent resident cards, known as green cards. Full citizenship can be obtained after five years as a green card holder.

Vice President of External Affairs Mike Lin has assumed her regular duties and has led the senate in their last three meetings. Lin became vice president on Feb. 20 after James DiPaolo stepped down because of scheduling conflicts.

Any elected or appointed members of the Student Senate who have not been present for three consecutive or five regular meetings in one semester may be expelled, according to Article II, Section 4 of the senate’s bylaws.

Student Program Adviser T.K. Erickson told The Channels that although not stated in the bylaws, Avendano’s absences are considered excused, and will therefore not be counted against her in the three consecutive missed meetings.

However, five regular meetings missed in one semester counts both excused and unexcused absences.

If she is removed from office, Lin would take over as president.

“She has been very responsible and upfront about her situation,” Erickson said.

In her email to The Channels, the president explained that she’s been studying in Chile. She has talked to nearly all of her professors and will have five midterms to take once she returns.

Avendano took over as president in Fall 2008, when former leader Tanja Khosrawipour abruptly left for Germany.

“I will also call the Universities (that I’ve applied to) and check if I can move my application for next year,” Avendano said.

Avendano had planned to transfer to either a University of California or California State school, Erickson said.