One of two student regent positions on the Arizona Board of Regents is up for grabs to a UA student, but Associated Students of the University of Arizona President Erin Hertzog said she will not be one of the candidates.

Tonight ASUA will release the names of the five finalists for the position, who will accompany Hertzog to the board of regents meeting at Arizona State University tomorrow, Hertzog said.

“”It would be an amazing opportunity,”” Hertzog said. “”I am disappointed that it wouldn’t work with my schedule since I am graduating in a year, but we do have many qualified students interested in the position.””

As a regent, students are expected to pitch in and provide input on legislative decisions, setting tuition and other issues including the rising cost of textbooks, said Regent Ernest Calderon.

“”Student regents are treated as full regents,”” Calderon said. “”It’s a demanding position and takes about 20 to 25 hours a week, but once you have been sworn in, you’re in.””

Originally established in the late 1980s, the student regent positions did not always function in a way that gave students the chance to make their voices heard, said Serena Unrein, director of the Arizona Students’ Association.

“”Now, there are two student regent positions, and in your second year as a regent you have the ability to vote and enjoy all of the privileges of being a regent,”” Unrein said.

While the position does not pay, Unrein said those privileges include free travel to each of the Arizona universities for board of regents meetings and the chance to experience the way higher education operates in this state.

“”We are only one of a few states that have a student regent with the ability to vote,”” Unrein added.

Each position lasts for two years, and the opportunity to become a student regent rotates among Arizona’s three universities.

“”Student regents are the voice for students at every Arizona university,”” Unrein said. “”It’s always exciting when each university has the chance to have one of their students fill the position.””

Regent Mary Venezia from Northern Arizona University and Regent Edward Hermes from ASU currently serve as student regents. In the next year, a UA student will replace Venezia’s position as non-voting student regent, while she rotates to replace Hermes’ position as student regent with a vote.

“”This is a very important position,”” President Robert Shelton said. “”This individual would step in to follow Regent Venezia on the board and include the Tucson perspective.””

Although the UA regent will not have the chance to vote until his or her second year on the board, Venezia said simply being a member of the regents, even without a vote, was an amazing experience.

“”Honestly, when I attend an ABOR meeting, I learn more in two days than I do in a semester of classes,”” Venezia said. “”It sounds bad, but it’s true, because you really get to see how the board works. Now I feel like I can make more educated decisions when I get the chance to vote on the board next year.””

One of two student regent positions on the Arizona Board of Regents is up for grabs to a UA student, but Associated Students of the University of Arizona President Erin Hertzog said she will not be one of the candidates.

Tonight ASUA will release the names of the five finalists for the position, who will accompany Hertzog to the board of regents meeting at Arizona State University tomorrow, Hertzog said.

“”It would be an amazing opportunity,”” Hertzog said. “”I am disappointed that it wouldn’t work with my schedule since I am graduating in a year, but we do have many qualified students interested in the position.””

As a regent, students are expected to pitch in and provide input on legislative decisions, setting tuition and other issues including the rising cost of textbooks, said Regent Ernest Calderon.

“”Student regents are treated as full regents,”” Calderon said. “”It’s a demanding position and takes about 20 to 25 hours a week, but once you have been sworn in, you’re in.””

Originally established in the late 1980s, the student regent positions did not always function in a way that gave students the chance to make their voices heard, said Serena Unrein, director of the Arizona Students’ Association.

“”Now, there are two student regent positions, and in your second year as a regent you have the ability to vote and enjoy all of the privileges of being a regent,”” Unrein said.

While the position does not pay, Unrein said those privileges include free travel to each of the Arizona universities for board of regents meetings and the chance to experience the way higher education operates in this state.

“”We are only one of a few states that have a student regent with the ability to vote,”” Unrein added.

Each position lasts for two years, and the opportunity to become a student regent rotates among Arizona’s three universities.

“”Student regents are the voice for students at every Arizona university,”” Unrein said. “”It’s always exciting when each university has the chance to have one of their students fill the position.””

Regent Mary Venezia from Northern Arizona University and Regent Edward Hermes from ASU currently serve as student regents. In the next year, a UA student will replace Venezia’s position as non-voting student regent, while she rotates to replace Hermes’ position as student regent with a vote.

“”This is a very important position,”” President Robert Shelton said. “”This individual would step in to follow Regent Venezia on the board and include the Tucson perspective.””

Although the UA regent will not have the chance to vote until his or her second year on the board, Venezia said simply being a member of the regents, even without a vote, was an amazing experience.

“”Honestly, when I attend an ABOR meeting, I learn more in two days than I do in a semester of classes,”” Venezia said. “”It sounds bad, but it’s true, because you really get to see how the board works. Now I feel like I can make more educated decisions when I get the chance to vote on the board next year.””