Student Regent Position Description

Under Article 12, Section 13 of the New Mexico Constitution, one member of the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico shall be a member of the student body (Student Regent).  The Student Regent is one of seven full voting members of the Board of Regents and has the same rights and responsibilities as other Board members, although Student Regents serve two-year terms while other Board members are appointed to staggered six-year terms.

As defined by the New Mexico Constitution and statutes, the Board of Regents is charged with the management and control of the state’s flagship research university.  The Regents of the University of New Mexico is the official name of the University and the Regents constitute a body corporate.  As such, all members of the Board of Regents assume overall responsibility for the University and its affiliated Research Park Corporations.  The Regents can act only as a whole, not individually.  The Board of Regents has delegated some of its powers to the President of the University. The Board of Regents is responsible for the selection and supervision of the President and provides the President with strategic direction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Attend Regent orientation sessions, including briefing sessions with the University’s executive leadership team
  • Attend all full Board and assigned Regents’ committee meetings, punctually and for the duration
  • Be prepared to participate in full Board and Regents’ committee meetings by being familiar with the provided agenda and book of information (some items may require preparatory briefings with members of the University administration and other interested parties)
  • Be informed, fully understand, and vote on Board of Regents’ action items
  • Discuss and vote on matters of official business that come before the Board and its committees
  • Comply with all applicable state and federal statutes, including the New Mexico Open Meetings Act and the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act
  • Attend requested Board and University functions
  • Represent the University and Board as invited at community, state, and University functions, including at summits called by the Governor or Higher Education Department of New Mexico
  • Maintain professional appearance and demeanor at official functions
  • Be informed of student concerns at the University, be they undergraduate, graduate, athletics, or organizational.
  • Be informed of University, state, and local events and priorities
  • Be available via email, phone, or in person to address constituent and University concerns
  • Be available to other Regents and UNM executive leadership at all times
  • Work closely with fellow Regents as a team
  • Work closely with UNM executive leadership, i.e. President, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, Executive Vice President for Administration, Provost
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of matters brought before the Board in executive session and of other matters, as appropriate
  • Understand that the Student Regent is responsible for the well being of the University as a whole, which, in some cases, may conflict with student perspectives
  • Behave in a lawful, appropriate, and respectful manner at all times in that, even when not conducting Regent business, the Student Regent serves as a representative of the Regents and the University

Appointment and Term:

  • The Governor of New Mexico appoints the Student Regent, subject to confirmation by the New Mexico Senate. The Governor selects from a list of students provided by the President of the University, who shall give due consideration to the recommendations of the ASUNM and GPSA Presidents.
  • The Student Regent serves a two-year term, which generally begins and ends on a calendar year cycle, although the incumbent serves until the New Mexico Senate confirms a successor. Confirmations generally take place in January.
  • Provisions for Regents’ removal from office are stipulated in Article 12, Section 13 of the New Mexico Constitution, and all petitions for removal are presided over by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Privileges:

  • Private office in the Student Union Building
  • Resources necessary to fulfill the above-described duties, including office supplies, communication equipment, and staff support
  • Parking and athletic event credentials
  • Access to high level University administrators and community members
  • Invitations to prominent events at the University and in the community
  • $2,000 per month stipend provided to the Student Regent