by Jennifer Onuska
Daily Lobo Columnist
Not many people know that one of our fellow students sits on the UNM Board of Regents.
In fact, this member is very important because this individual represents all students' needs, undergraduates and graduates alike. Eric Anaya is the current member representing students on the Board of Regents. He has done an excellent job on behalf of the students at this University.
However, his two-year term will be over in December. The new student sitting on the Board of Regents will be committing to a two-year term as well. This student can either be an undergraduate or graduate student at the University of New Mexico.
It is important to note that having a student sit on the Board of Regents is a fairly new concept. There have only been four students to sit on the Board because this is a relatively new statute. Therefore, it is exciting that the search for the fifth student is now beginning.
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Essentially this student's main job will be to express student concerns to the other members of the Board of Regents. He/she will be expected to provide a student's perspective on all issues that arise pertaining to the University. This position is a great opportunity to represent your fellow UNM students.
For undergraduates applying through ASUNM, the process begins today, Sept. 9, 2002. Applications to sit on the Board of Regents are available in the ASUNM office, the ASUNM Web site or the Student Activities Center. They will be due to the ASUNM office by Friday, Sept. 27, 2002, at 5 p.m.
Next, the ASUNM Student Regent Committee will review all of the applications. This committee is comprised of five, well-rounded students selected by the ASUNM president. The ASUNM student regent committee will conduct interviews on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002. After interviews, the committee will deliberate and send names of candidates they feel are most qualified for the position to UNM President Chris Garcia. It is important to note that graduate students will be applying through GPSA and the graduate student government will also be sending a list of names that they find suitable for the position to Garcia.
Garcia will review both sets of applications and conduct his own interviews with undergraduate students and graduate students. He will make his selections and narrow down these candidates sending the most qualified candidates to the Governor. At this time the N.M. governor will conduct interviews and essentially make an appointment to the Board of Regents. However, this appointment will be susceptible to approval from the state Legislature.
The new student member to the Board of Regents will begin his/her term in January. This position is an excellent chance to contribute to the University in a major effort to make positive changes, affect policy and aide in the progression of the University.
I would like to challenge undergraduate students to apply for this position. The four past students to sit on the Board of Regents have all been graduate students. Therefore, as undergraduates, it is time to take the lead and impact the University.
Jennifer Onuska is the ASUNM president. The weekly ASUNM column is alternately written by Onuska and ASUNM Vice President Heather Gabel.
For more information, please visit the ASUNM office in the Student Services Building, Room 262, or call 277-5528. Students also can visit the ASUNM Web site at www.unm.edu/~asunm/.
