Rosalyn Nguyen, the new student regent, was confirmed by the state Senate on Monday.
But many students interviewed by the Daily Lobo on Monday didn't even know what the student regent position was.
"I didn't even know the position existed," said Steven Johnston. "I've vaguely heard of the board."
The Board of Regents is the governing body of the University. It is made up of six members and one student member.
The student regent serves a two-year term.
Sophomore Haley Christopher said she thought a student regent should try to get more of the student body involved.
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"I didn't even know there was a student regent - there's an example," she said, adding that the student regent should be more accessible.
Nguyen said it's easy for students to overlook the board.
She said it's a matter of personal choice whether or not to pay attention. Nguyen added that she has lined up meetings to speak with student organizations.
Nguyen said she will try to stay in her office as much as possible to be accessible to students.
Although almost every student interviewed was not aware of a student regent, they named several issues pertinent to them as students at the University, including parking, the price of textbooks, getting a quality education and tuition.
Jesse Gearhart said she was concerned about tuition climbing.
Nguyen said she would like tuition to be kept as low as possible, but many factors go into the decision that she thought students didn't really know about.
"If you're not informed, of course you are going to say, 'Keep it low,'" she said.
She said she would like to have forums to inform students about tuition so they understand the factors that go into raising tuition.
Johnston said he thought there wasn't enough parking and it was too expensive.
Nguyen said parking at UNM is frustrating to her as well.
"Students pay a lot for a parking permit," she said. "They should have a place to park."
Nguyen said she hadn't really spoken to Parking and Transportation Services but would like to before making a decision on the issue.
Christopher said her biggest issue is getting involved.
"I tend not to know what's happening," she said.
Nguyen said that's no excuse.
"I'm an example of someone who didn't know anybody when I came here," she said. "I'm where I am because I got involved. I don't think there's any excuse to say they feel disconnected."
She said students should find their own interests and be willing to get involved.
She suggested participating in campus activities or going to the Student Activities Center to find student organizations that might fit a student's interest.
She added the SUB is a good place to congregate or see what is going on around campus.
Senior Melinda Martinez said she was concerned about getting the right classes and a quality education.
"I've been at UNM for six years," Nguyen said. "I've stayed here so long because I've had a quality education."
She said she doesn't think teachers should be told how to conduct their classroom, but students can be more active in participating in class.
She said that as a member of the Academic-Student Affairs Committee, it was something she could bring up for discussion at the meeting.
Other concerns students mentioned were getting bad advisement, food options in the SUB and La Posada, and the price of books.
Nguyen said she would bring up all these concerns up at her first Academic-Student Affairs Committee meeting on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the SUB's Lobo Room B.
