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by Cassie Kornblau and Danielle Repshas
Thursday, March 15, 2007
A student spot on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents is up for grabs this May as the current student regent finishes out his two-year term.
Elected in 2005, Christopher Semenas, a senior at UW-Parkside, currently holds the student regent position.
In general, Carla Vigue, spokesperson for Gov. Jim Doyle, who appoints the UW System regents, said the governor is looking for a student regent who will be able to properly represent the UW System.
"The university system would not be the same without students," Vigue said. "The governor hopes the new regent will bring a voice to the decision making process."
Vigue added the application process would consist of a review by a committee — which includes Semenas — as well as an interview with the governor.
The last time a student regent seat was vacant, Vigue said Doyle received about 20 applications.
Semenas said students who want to serve on the board should be enthusiastic about higher education in the state of Wisconsin, and he added he is willing to work with the governor's office in every capacity to fill his position.
"I hope the new student regent is able to continue to be a voice for students," Semenas said. "Being able to serve 160,000 students in the state of Wisconsin has been one of the greatest opportunities of my life."
The respect and guidance from fellow colleagues on the board, Semenas added, made the experience even more meaningful. He also said he hopes the new student regent would continue to develop strong relationships with the board so they can work to advocate for first-generation, minority and low income students.
Regent Brent Smith of La Crosse echoed Semenas' sentiments and said the relationship between the board and student regents is valuable.
Smith said the student regents bring real-life experience to the board, since the students are impacted each day on campus by their decisions.
"We go back to our jobs, and sometimes we do not feel these decisions," Smith said. "[The students] are impacted by our decisions, and they see how the issues are going to affect them personally."
Smith said the student viewpoint is imperative to the board since most of the other members are a few decades removed from being college students.
"Students offer a perspective that no one else on the board presents," Smith said. "When they speak at meetings or committee meetings, the administration listens."
Smith added he has seen three different students serve on the Board of Regents during his membership.
"All of them have been articulate and have provided us insight because of their unique role as a student," Smith said.
Cary Heyer, director of public relations at UW-La Crosse, said the students and faculty at La Crosse are supportive of their students applying as a student regent members, adding it demonstrates students are serious about their education and want to voice their opinions.
"We always support any students that are part of policy decisions in the education they receive," Heyer said. "The two students voluntarily submitted applications and understand their decisions are important in helping with policies."
UW System spokesperson David Giroux said serving on the board is a tremendous time commitment.
"To see students serve on the board and put in the time says something," Giroux said. "Students put in the time carrying a full [courseload] — no different than someone who has a full-time job and a family."
Wisconsin, Giroux said, has a wonderful tradition of shared governance in terms of the faculty and administration that extends to student governments as well.
"Having two students serve on the board is a natural extension of shared governance," Giroux said. "This supports the academic direction and collegiate environment of our state."
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