by Caleb Fort
Daily Lobo
Being a student regent at UNM gives students a chance to make a difference, said Rosalyn Nguyen, student regent.
Student regents can be involved with and have influence over parts of the University that students usually aren't involved with, she said.
"The sky's the limit when it comes to being a student regent," she said. "If you have something you want to get accomplished, this is really a great way you can be
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active about it."
UNM is in the process of selecting a student regent, who will begin serving in 2007.
The student regent sits on the UNM Board of Regents and has the same powers as those regents. The position was created in 1994 under the New Mexico Constitution, after UNM students lobbied the state legislature.
Graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to serve as the student regent.
Although Gov. Richardson is responsible for appointing the
student regent, ASUNM and GPSA make recommendations to David Harris, UNM's acting president.
Harris will pass on his recommendations to the governor.
"The governor could chose someone out of thin air if he wanted, but we recommend that everyone goes through the whole process," said Brittany Jaeger, president of ASUNM.
The state senate must also approve the student regent.
"It's quite a lengthy process," said Debbie Morris, director of student activities.
The deadline for undergraduates to apply through ASUNM is Sept. 29.
The deadline for GPSA applicants is Oct. 2.
Nguyen was not nominated by either GPSA or ASUNM but was one of the three people former UNM President Louis Caldera recommended to the governor.
Joseph Garcia, president of GPSA, said students should have more say in the selection of the student regent.
"I think it's very problematic, because it isn't a democratic choice of the students," he said. "Why should we waste our time and GPSA money - which is student money - selecting candidates if our recommendations are going to be ignored?"
According to the New Mexico Constitution, UNM's president should "give due consideration to the recommendations of the student body president of the University."
Garcia said he realizes that the governor has the final say.
"But, I would hope it would be to his best interest, and the best interest of the state, to listen to what the students want," he said.
The Board of Regents is the governing body of UNM. Its responsibilities include organizing the University's budget, approving the construction of buildings and hiring UNM's president.
Nguyen said those responsibilities can be intimidating.
"It can be a daunting task at times, with some of the decisions that go through the board, but it's one of the best experiences I've ever had," she said.
That pressure is worth it, she said.
"Sometimes I just step back, and I'm amazed at the responsibility I have," she said. "It's kind of surreal. We're really lucky to be able to have a voice at the University."
Nguyen said the job, which does not pay, is not an easy one.
"It is fun, but it is definitely working, because you're representing the University," she said. "I have a lot of meetings, aside from the scheduled regents' meetings, with faculty, staff and students. It adds up."
Nguyen said she spends 20 to 30 hours a week working for the regents.
"My whole life is school and regents," she said. "If I get to go out with a friend, I feel really lucky."
Regents' meetings last up to five hours once a month.
The student regent has to be able to handle the commitments that come with the job, Nguyen said.
"I think the hugest thing is that they have to be really passionate and really love the University," she said. "In order to be a good student regent, you have to be very committed, devoted and loyal. You have to be selfless about spending your time."
