Following the resignation of student lobbyist Jenny Rimsza last week, student government officials are looking for someone to fill her shoes and lobby at the state capital this year.

Student body president Doug Hartz said applications are due today, with the bulk of interviews winding down today and tomorrow.

Student lobbyists have historically set the pace on tuition increases by lobbying against them. Last year, they also organized a grassroots effort called "No more than 4," asking state legislators not to cut the UA budget by more than 4 percent.

The Senate is expected to approve Rimsza's replacement by majority vote at next week's meeting.

The new appointee will step into his or her role as an Arizona Students' Association co-director just as the organization kicks-off its lobbying efforts.

Already, ASA has organized a town hall on Oct. 30, where students can speak out about President Pete Likins' Focused Excellence plan and other student centered issues.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Modern Languages Room 350.

Students will also be shuttled to polling places on Election Day, Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with shuttles meeting in front of the UofA Bookstore.

The new ASA appointee will serve alongside co-directors Ryan Patterson and Melanie Rainer.

Rimsza was a long time student lobbyist by ASA standards, serving as a co-director of ASA last year and continuing this year. She resigned last week, claiming that a new policy enacted by Hartz early this semester restricted her voting privileges.

Hartz said that by requiring directors to either vote with him or abstain from voting on issues he deemed "detrimental to the university," ASA was presenting a cohesive front at statewide delegate meetings and was protecting the best interests of students.

Student lobbyists should be outspoken and able to balance school with a potentially demanding job, said Ben Graff, who served as student body president from 2000 to 2001.

And although he said each president has his or her own vision for ASA, he said that these characteristics tend to be important to holding the position.

When tuition negotiations begin in April, lobbying can escalate to a 40- plus hour a week job, he said.

Graff said these strengths should be coupled with an understanding that doing research before appearing in front of state leaders is paramount, something Hartz has stressed numerous times over the past week.

"It's a great job," Graff said. "It's the only chance a student has to be a registered lobbyist in the state."

For more information on the ASA co-director position call 621-ASUA or visit their office above the UofA Bookstore.