by Jeremy Hunt
Daily Lobo
Law student Dahlia Dorman said she'll be practicing to be a lawyer by being an advocate for students when she becomes a member of the Board of Regents.
Gov. Bill Richardson appointed Dorman to the student regent position Dec. 21.
Her term is supposed to start in January, but she will have to be confirmed by the state Senate before she can participate in meetings. She will be confirmed during the legislative session, which began Tuesday.
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She was one of three students GPSA recommended to UNM President David Harris, who then recommended her to Richardson.
Dorman said she will pay attention to students and stay in touch with what's happening on campus.
"I want people to know I'm accessible," she said. "I'm available in my office or through e-mail."
Joe Garcia, president of GPSA, said he was pleased with Dorman's appointment.
"This is a wonderful choice," he said. "It brings it back to the connection between the students and the regents."
Scott Carreathers, director of African-American Student Services, said he is happy and proud to see an African-American become a student regent.
Dorman is the most qualified person to represent students, he said.
"I say that because of who she is in general," he said. "She's been recognized by our office as being one of our outstanding students."
As an undergraduate at UNM, Dorman was involved with her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, as the senior transition officer. She was also involved with Black Student Union and ASUNM's Finance Committee.
Dorman graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in
political science and Spanish. She participated in the New Mexico Legislative Internship Program, where students shadow a legislator and learn the legislative process.
Garcia said Dorman's selection puts his faith back in the process of appointing a student regent, because the previous student regent, Rosalyn Nguyen, was not recommended by any student groups.
The student regent should be able to identify with students and see their perspective, Garcia said.
"She was active as well as focused with her studies. She understands the issues students face," he said. "The best thing that she's going to be doing is listening."
Dorman said being involved with student organizations has prepared her to be the student regent.
"I was pretty involved," she said. "I know what it's like to be a
student."
Dorman said she wants to make attending college more convenient for students by getting more services like the lactation station at UNM Hospital. She said she would like to increase student involvement, especially among commuter students, because students who are involved do better in class and enjoy college more.
"I want UNM to continue to grow and offer more services," she said. "Whatever makes pursuing your educational goals more accessible is important."
Carreathers said Dorman will be independent and fair as a regent.
"I don't think she'll follow the crowd because everyone says, 'You should vote this way,'" he said. "She's looking to see what's in the best interest of the student population, and if it's not, she'll be the first to stand up."
Dorman said she is not
intimidated by the Board of Regents and will work with its members to do what is best for the students and the University.
Sometimes the students' interests and the University's interests don't coincide, she said.
"The main thing is listening to where they're (the regents) coming from, explain how the students feel, and we'll have to work together," she said. "Hopefully, they're trying to find some middle ground somewhere."
Dorman is the oldest child in her family. She has a sister who attends UNM and another sister in high school.
Dorman grew up competing in figure skating, but she said she doesn't compete anymore.
"When you're not a teenager, you're a little old," she said.
Dorman said she still stays involved with figure skating. She volunteers as a judge for competitions and helps coach her youngest sister, she said.
Carreathers said the strongest characteristic that will make Dorman a good student regent is her intellect.
"She's intelligent. She's fair," he said. "You can't go wrong
with her."
