PHOENIX ÷ Two new members of the Arizona Board of Regents, confirmed by the Arizona Senate Tuesday, say they are eager to weigh in on major issues facing the university.

The new regents, civic activist Lorraine Frank and attorney Ernie Calderon, both of Phoenix, will be faced with a hot issue at their first meeting as acting regents Thursday with the proposed $490 tuition increase on the agenda.

Both Frank and Calderon said they are ready to tackle the issue.

Calderon, a product of the Arizona university system who did his undergraduate studies at Northern Arizona University and earned a law degree from the UA, said he remembers his days as a student and is leaning away from approving any major tuition hikes.

"I have concerns that a 40 percent increase followed by this increase would bar the door to a lot of students," Calderon said. "(Another tuition hike) is a whole lot to grapple with."

Affordability and fiscal responsibility are areas that Calderon will look to first as his eight-year term on the board begins, starting with the proposed tuition hike which he says has yet to be proven necessary.

"So far, in most cases the figures are being based on wants and not needs," Calderon said.

Calderon said he promises to base his policy decisions on the best interest of the student body.

"Students are my number one priority, and faculty and staff come second," Calderon said. "But (if not) for the students there wouldn't be a university."

Frank, who has already worked with the board of regents serving as the director of the Regents' Commission on the Status of Women from 1989-1991, was cautious to indicate if she'd support a tuition hike.

"That's very much on my mind as it is on anyone else's," Frank said.

Gov. Janet Napolitano handpicked Frank and Calderon in September to replace outgoing regents Don Ulrich of Paradise Valley and Kay McKay of Flagstaff.

Napolitano said she based her selection on their lengthy involvement in higher education, and specifically their experience working with Arizona's universities.

"Lorraine and Ernie both have experience working with Arizona's universities. Lorraine's experience with education and humanities and Ernie's knowledge of the law will make them tremendous assets to the board of regents," Napolitano said. "The regents have some challenging work ahead of them as they complete the Changing Directions initiative and help the universities refocus their efforts. I know Lorraine and Ernie will be valuable in that process."

Regent President Chris Herstam said he is pleased with the selection of Cauldron and Frank.

"Both new regents are energetic, bright and articulate. And they are both dedicated to the state's university system and its success," he said.