by Ryan Floersheim
Daily Lobo
The UNM Student Regents' job is to help take the University to the next level of accomplishment, current student regent Eric Anaya said Tuesday during an ASUNM sponsored meeting for interested applicants.
A new student regent will be selected sometime after Oct. 5 and Anaya's two-year appointment is drawing to a close.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in this position," Anaya said. "However, it is time to hand over the reigns and allow someone else to help UNM into the future."
Anaya said the position, while very rewarding, should not be taken lightly.
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"The varying time commitment was one of the hardest transitions I had to make," Anaya said. "Depending on the committees you sit on, one week you may put in 10 hours, and the next you will double that."
The role of the student regent entails many responsibilities, some of which include approving bonds for purchases, setting tuition rates, managing UNM's real estate, handling legislative issues and setting employment contracts with the various unions that UNM works with.
"This experience has definitely enhanced my education," Anaya said. "It allowed me to experience many things outside of the classroom that I otherwise would have been oblivious to."
The position is open to any student, either undergraduate or graduate, as long as they are enrolled in at least six credit hours and are able to make the two-year commitment.
Anaya added that people interested in the position should not apply simply to pad their rÇsumÇs.
"You have to realize that you are not here representing yourself, you're here to take the University to the next level of accomplishment," Anaya said.
Anaya said that letting one's political affiliations affect their agenda or trying to affect drastic change would not only damage their reputation, but put UNM in a bad light.
"The role of regent is first and foremost a reactionary position," Anaya said. "You have to learn to put your personal feelings aside and do what is best for the students and campus you are representing."
There are two different processes one must go through before becoming a student regent. Undergraduates apply through the Associated Students of UNM while graduate students apply through the Graduate and Professional Students Association.
There are different interviewing schedules for each, but the top three candidates from each organization will be sent to interview with University President Chris Garcia. Garcia will then send his top three candidates to the governor, where a personal interview is conducted and the student regent is named.
Anaya, a former ASUNM President, said he chose to be a student regent because he felt there was still something he could give back to the UNM community. He is a graduate student studying law.
Regents are not paid and all of their activities are on a voluntary basis.
Anaya pointed out that even though he didn't receive monetary compensation, the experiences themselves were worth their weight in gold.
"I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone looking to get the most out of college as possible," Anaya said. "I am a firm believer that a solid education requires more than lessons taught in the classroom."
Deadlines for the student regent position are due Friday. Applications are available in the Student Services Center.
