The ASUNM Presidential Appointments Committee approved a long list of appointees for key student government positions during its meeting Wednesday.
The committee unanimously passed Sen. David Padilla as ASUNM Attorney General, Sen. Steve Aguilar to fill the ASUNM representative slot on the Student Fee Review Board and Sen. Gil Morales as ASUNM Court Justice.
The committee also approved nominees for 12 other positions, including representatives to the Computer Use Committee, the Athletic Council, the ASUNM Film Committee and the Child Care Advisory Board. All nominees except for Padilla must now be approved by the full Senate, which will meet Dec. 5.
The results of an emergency full Senate meeting held late Wednesday to ratify Padilla were not available at press time. Padilla was nominated to replace former Attorney General Josh Aragon, who recently resigned.
The committee questioned Padilla, Aguilar and Morales extensively before their appointments were put to a vote. The questions focused mostly on the candidates' abilities to handle the positions with heavy class schedules, personal biases and limited knowledge of the job responsibilities.
When asked why he became interested in the attorney general position, Padilla said it would be a good way for him to stay involved in Associated Students of UNM since his term as a senator ends in two weeks.
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"I will bring a knowledge of the Constitution and an unbiased opinion," he said. "I have the ability to see both sides of the coin, maybe even a third side."
Aguilar said he wanted to get involved with the Student Fee Review Board because he wanted to have more of an impact on students since, as ASUNM vice president, he no longer participates in legislation. The SFRB doles out a large portion of student fees to departments and other University entities.
"It's about seeing all aspects," he said. "You get to see all walks of life."
Aguilar said he knew change was slow, but that he wanted to help begin dialogue to mitigate problems he saw in the funding provided to some organizations with students' money. He cited funding to Popejoy Hall, which he called a cultural center for the whole city, with much of its programming not aimed at students.
"But we've been giving them our student fee money - it could be better utilized," he said.
Morales said he too wanted to continue his involvement with ASUNM after his Senate term ends by joining the Student Court.
"I won't be as closely related to the Senate, but separating myself will allow me to learn some additional things," he said.
