By
Eric Swedlund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA law student, former RHA pres Meaker recommended for position
PHOENIX - A Senate panel yesterday recommended the confirmation of two students to serve on the Arizona Board of Regents next year, the first time two students will sit on the board.
Last year, the state Legislature passed a bill that put a second student on the board, serving for one year in an apprentice position before gaining a vote for the second year of the term.
Gov. Jane Hull appointed Myrina Robinson, a Northern Arizona University political science student, to the position of the voting student regent and University of Arizona law student Matt Meaker to the apprentice position.
The Senate Education Committee confirmed both unanimously. The nominations now go before the full Senate.
If confirmed, Robinson and Meaker will take office in July, taking over for Arizona State University student Mary Echeverria, the current student regent.
Meaker said the passion he gained for being involved in leadership as a UA undergraduate prompted him to apply for the position.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to see what the professional side of government looks like and still be accessible to students," Meaker said.
Even though he won't gain a vote on the Board for a year, Meaker said serving as the second student regent will give students greater access to the board.
The first year will also offer a chance to learn more about the procedures of the board as well as getting to know university administrators and student leaders.
Matt Ortega, ABOR lobbyist, said regents have eight years to learn the system and it has been recognized for a long time that the student regent could benefit from more time getting acclimated to the position.
The structure of the second regent's terms as an apprenticeship first and application of knowledge "adds to the effectiveness of the student regent," Ortega said.
Meaker graduated magna cum laude last year with a degree in communication and psychology from the UA. When he was studying as a undergraduate, Meaker served as president of the Residence Hall Association.
Toward the end of the fall 1998 semester, Meaker spent $58 of RHA funds on a breakfast for himself and other committee members without having approval to spend the money.
Meaker publicly acknowledged his mistake in a January 1999 RHA meeting and wrote a letter of apology that was published in the Arizona Daily Wildcat. He was retained as president.
Meaker said yesterday he did not bring up the incident during the application process, nor did anybody else.
Meaker submitted his application to the Arizona Students Association and met with the executive board, which then submitted its recommendation to Hull's office.
Paul Peterson, ASA executive director, said he was not aware of the breakfast incident and added that Meaker was an "outstanding" applicant.
"We forwarded him to the governor with extreme confidence," Peterson said.
Meaker yesterday acknowledged his mistake but said it wouldn't affect his capabilities on the Board.
