Lack of student presence at forum a disappointment

Editor,

With the impending selection of a new president of UNM, I am apprehensive about the small number of students who attended the student forum with candidate Herman Lujan on Tuesday. Although this meant I had more time to ask Lujan the questions that personally affected me, I was very disappointed in the lack of representation from not only students as individuals, but all student organizations, as well.

These student forums are our chance to influence the regents' selection, but they are also a way for us to influence the attitude of the incoming president, whoever he or she will be. If we as a student body can demonstrate to these candidates that we really do care about who is chosen and what he or she will do for us, then, in the long run, when it comes to effectively working with the president, our voices will be more highly valued.

When the selection is finally made, I will not tolerate hearing students speaking out against the selection unless they personally involved themselves with the decision. No student should ever complain that he or she has no voice or no chance to effect change at this University. This is your chance.

Adrian Carver

UNM student