The deadline came and went, yet no one applied to represent the students as a member of the Board of Regents, the university’s highest governing body.
Applications were due by 5 p.m., Monday. Keith Lamb, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, said this has happened before and that the deadline will be extended, meaning that any student interested in the position should complete and submit an application as soon as possible.
The student regent is the highest position a student can hold while enrolled in a Texas public university or institution. The position is appointed annually by the governor for a one year term.
The student regent is a non-voting member on the board but acts as the collective voice of the undergraduate and graduate students at MSU. Lamb said having a student vocie on the board is criticial.
“The Board of Regents is the highest level of decision-making at the institution,” Lamb said, “So if the institution is for the students and of the students, then they [students] need a voice on that board.”
Current Student Regent, Holly Allsup, has been that voice since June 1.
She applied last year for the position in order to have a chance to show her appreciation for the university.
“MSU has been such an integral part of my life and personal development that I really felt like I had to give back,” Allsup said.
Lamb explained the application process consists of two packets, one for Midwestern and one for the Governor’s Office. After all the applications are submitted, the student government will select five candidates for University President Jesse Rogers to review.
Rogers will interview the students and then narrow those five down to two candidates’ applications, which will be sent to Gov. Rick Perry, who will then interview and select the one Student Regent for the upcoming school year.
Allsup discussed some of the responsibilities of being the student regent, such as connecting with students, attending events, volunteering and staying involved with organizations.
Additionally, there is an approximately 150 page binder that is given to each regent, the student regent included, before the two-day, quarterly meetings that the regents must review and understand for Board discussions.
Despite its high level of responsibility, the position can be very rewarding.
As previously mentioned, the student regent is the voice of Midwestern’s student body at the meetings.
Skeptics may say that the student’s opinion won’t really be accessed.
However, the Board of Regents wants to hear the student regent’s opinion, giving them the feeling of importance.
“The regents have been very interested in what the students think about various issues on the agenda,” Allsup said. “During our discussions, they make a point to ask me about the students’ point of view if I haven’t spoken up yet.”
Furthermore, the student regent not only has the opportunity to personally get to know each member of the Board, but the meetings provide this student with an extensive view of the inner-workings of Midwestern.
For Allsup, both of these aspects have been highlights of the position.
“MSU is like its own city in a way,” explained Allsup. “There are residential buildings, administrative services, the library, post office, police station, stores and dining facilities; the amount of behind-the-scenes work has been very eye opening.”
Another perk of the position is that the student regent gets the chance to meet Perry.
Of Perry, Allsup said that he is definitely one of the most down to earth people she’s met.
“Our conversations were very engaging. He really took the time to talk to us [student regents] and gave some inspirational advice.”
Those students wanting to apply will be expected to have certain qualifications, primarily involvement on campus and a connection with the students.
According to Lamb, the person selected as the student regent should be well-rounded, someone involved on campus and knows the pulse of the campus, is able to get feedback from the students and represent that feedback on the Board.
“We want someone who can articulate accurately and correctly the student voice,” Lamb said.
Allsup echoed the need for the future student regent to be involved on campus, as well as to have an understanding of the university and administration operations.
“Being involved is paramount,” claimed Allsup. “Student regents need to understand the university on an intimate level in order to serve their [students] interests best. It’s also very important to understand how the administration operates, creates budgets, and makes decisions.”
Although the qualifications seem stringent, and the position is demanding, Allsup fully believes that MSU has plenty of high-caliber students to fill the position.
“We have so many talented and passionate students at MSU, so I’m very confident that whoever serves next term will do great”
For students still on the fence about completing an application, Lamb emphasized the unique status of MSU’s student regent compared with student regents at other universities.
Each college is appointed one student regent. For bigger schools and their affiliate universities, there is only one student regent. MSU has its one student regent as well, but the position is all the more accessible to applicants because of MSU’s smaller student population. Lamb urged students to take advantage of the open position, especially since there has yet to be an application returned.
“It’s a great opportunity,” said Lamb.
The student regent spot is open to undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate applicants must be of a sophomore class standing by spring 2013 and all applicants must be in good standing with the university.
Additionally, students do not need letters of recommendation.
The person chosen will be notified by the first of June, and will undergo summer training in preparation for next August when they start their term.