Applications only first step in long process

More than 40 people have picked up applications for the student regent position, a number student lobbyists say is higher than usual.

One UA student will be chosen later this semester to serve on the Arizona Board of Regents, the governing body that sets policies for the Arizona universities.

The applications, which are due on Tuesday, are the first step in a long process.

Starting next week, student lobbyists will narrow the applicant pool to three candidates and forward them to the governor by March 11. Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano will select the new student regent in March and submit the selection to the state Senate for confirmation.

Alistair Chapman, a student lobbyist, said though a large number of applications have been picked up, he only expects half of them will be turned in.

Last year, Northern Arizona University only received three applications.

"It's pretty long and extensive, but if a student is qualified and interested in the Arizona education system, then they should apply," said Alexis Coury, a student lobbyist.

The application requires students to submit a resumŽ, three letters of recommendation, an unofficial transcript and five essays.

Ben Graff, student regent applicant and 2000-2001 ASUA president, sat on the ASUA selection committee that picked Matt Meaker to be that year's student regent.

He said in the past, there were problems getting a large pool of qualified applicants for the position, and he is excited about the number this year.

The high number of applications that have been picked up is a testament to all of ASUA's work, Graff said.

Coury attributed the heightend student interest to the media coverage and publicity for the position.

J.P. Benedict, ASUA president and student lobbyist, said Chapman got the word out and that they had spent a considerable amount of time putting together the application.

Mary Beth Canty, a student regent applicant and first-year law student, said she was intimidated because she realized there were a lot of qualified applicants who may know more than she does about the other universities.

There are two students who sit on the board every year, but only one gets to vote. Since there are only two student regent spots on the Board of Regents, the three state universities rotate the positions.

Next year, the UA gets its turn to have a student serve as a nonvoting member of the regents. Right now, Arizona State University has the voting student regent, and NAU has the nonvoting student regent.

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

"The student regent has an important responsibility. It is not a position of power, but a position of representation," Graff said.

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

Student Regent Danelle Kelling, who attends ASU, advised applicants to read all three universities' newspapers and learn what the hot topics are at each school.