ASUA extends deadline for appointed posts after receiving few applications

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat "The only thing I look for is maybe one person who has experience. I don't think there's a single person in ASUA who doesn't think we need drastic change." Ben Graff Associated Students executive vice president-elect

Ben Graff, the Associated Students executive vice president-elect, downplayed the situation, saying the application deadline for key cabinet positions was also postponed last year.

Graff said ASUA is always seeking qualified applicants for the positions, and the deadline delay will help publicize the jobs.

"I feel I need to get more," he said. "I think if we really push this week, we'll get them in."

Graff found himself short on candidates Monday to fill the 14 positions under his jurisdiction. He said applicants have been "more than qualified," but he has not found enough people to fill the appointments.

ASUA gave out about 45 applications for its 35 appointed positions, but "nowhere near as many" came back by Monday's deadline, causing Graff to extend the deadline to Monday. Officials declined to disclose exactly how many applicants ASUA received.

This year's disinterest in Associated Students' appointments has not extended to presidential appointments, however.

ASUA President-elect Cisco Aguilar said he has seen an increase in the number of applications for his 12-member cabinet, which includes three Arizona Students Association directors and the elections commissioner.

"We made a big effort to recruit people," Aguilar said.

Applicants for top positions are screened through an interview by an executive officer, at least two senators and the outgoing position-holder, and must be ultimately approved by the ASUA Senate, Graff said.

Interviews for the administrative vice president's appointed positions are normally held in two rounds because of the timeliness of the eight positions, which include Spring Fling director and Speaker's Board director.

Administrative Vice President-elect Viviane Safrin extended the deadline for International Students Association director to the second round of interviews because of the low turnout.

"The deadlines are within the full ability of executives," Graff said. "It's nothing drastically new."

Graff said despite allegations of insider-favoritism in ASUA, he has seen mostly new names on appointment applications.

"The only thing I look for is maybe one person who has experience," he said. "I don't think there's a single person in ASUA who doesn't think we need drastic change."