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News
Lobbyists search for new student regent


By Dana Crudo
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Tuesday November 18, 2003
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Student lobbyists are looking for students who want to directly impact the lives of more than 100,000 people.

Lobbyists are searching for a student from the UA to fulfill the role of student regent on the Arizona Board of Regents, the governing body that oversees the state's three universities.

"I really want to encourage those really interested in school and higher education to apply," said J.P. Benedict, ASUA president and student lobbyist. "They will have a direct impact on the lives of over 100,000 students."

Lobbyists plan on getting the applications out for the position by the end of the semester. The applications serve as the first step in a long process, which culminates with the approval of Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano in March and confirmation by the state Senate.

"The UA has awesome candidates, we'll be choosing the best of the best," said Nick Green, student lobbyist.

Student regents are responsible for attending board and committee meetings, remaining current on issues, doing research on pressing issues, visiting other campuses, and meeting with constituents.

Alistair Chapman, student lobbyist, said the student regent position will involve a great deal of power and responsibility.

"They have to be dedicated and able to fulfill their commitment to the students," Chapman said.

Since there are only two student regent spots on the Board of Regents, the three state universities must rotate the positions.

Next year it will be the UA's turn to have a student serve as a non-voting member of the regents. Right now ASU has the voting student regent, and NAU the nonvoting student regent. UA law school graduate Matthew Meaker was the last UA student to hold the post. His term ended in June.

Student regents serve for two years, the first year as a non-voting member and the following as a voting member of the Board of Regents.

Any student who will be at the UA for the next two years is eligible to apply for the position.

The Arizona Students' Association will choose three possible candidates and then it is up to the governor to select one of the three. The governor also has the option of choosing someone that ASA has not recommended.

"The governor asked us to incorporate representatives from other universities while conducting the efforts to find the student regent candidates. It's definitely a statewide decision," Chapman said.

Gary Stuart, a fourth-year member of the Board, said the student will hold an important position as a

representative for all three Arizona universities.

"The student regent is the most knowledgeable of the needs of the students because they are there every day," Stuart said. "We listen carefully to what the student regents have to say about issues."

Danelle Kelling, an ASU student who currently serves as student regent, said the student must remain highly committed to pursuing what is best for Arizona's universities and the state.

"The position requires time, a curious mind, and dedication," she said. "The universities are complicated and having the patience and determination to understand the complicated issues are great qualities to have."

However, Stuart said the most important quality a student regent can have is independence.

"They must be independent of small local parochial views and biases," he said. "The second year as regent is difficult because the student has to vote on issues relating to students on other campuses, they can't vote only for their school."

Though the regent faces many challenges, Stuart said the position is the most important job a student could ever have.

"They get to be in a group and vote on major policy issues; most students would want that kind of opportunity if they could get it," he said.

Kelling said that being a student regent is an amazing opportunity and a service opportunity unlike any other experience available.

"As student regent I believe that I have gained a greater understanding and appreciation of the universities and all of their complexities," she said.

Kelling said students interested in becoming a regent should spend time studying and reading.

"I have read so much in my two-year time to learn more about the universities, more about the state, and more about the issues facing students," she said.

Kelling also said that students should familiarize themselves with the issues of all three universities and attend board meetings.

The next ABOR meeting starts at 1 p.m. on Nov. 20 and will be held in the Catalina Room of the Student Union Memorial Center.

Students interested in the student regent position can pick up an application at the end of the semester at the ASUA office, located above the UofA Bookstore in the Student Union Memorial Center.

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