Application Information for Student Regent: State of Texas

APPLICATION PERIOD HAS CLOSED FOR 2011/2012 CYCLE

Current Term
June 1, 2011-May 31, 2012

Background

In 2005, the Texas Legislature approved the position of non-voting student regent. In accordance with the provisions of the Education Code, Sections 51.355 and 51.356, each public university board of regents shall include one student member appointed by the governor. The chancellor of each university system and president of each independent public university shall “develop a uniform application form to be used by each general academic teaching institution and medical and dental unit in the university system to solicit applicants for the position of student regent.” This form is for those systems and independent public universities who wish to use a standard form in addition to the appointment application provided by the Office of the Governor.

Student Regent

The student regent is a non-voting participant on the board of regents representing the students of each Texas public university system or independent public university (a general academic teaching institution that is not a part of a university system). The student regent serves a one-year term commencing June 1 and ending May 31 of the following year. While technically not a member of the board of regents, a student regent does have the same powers and duties as the members of the board of regents, with the exception of voting, making or seconding motions, and being counted to determine a quorum.

To the best of their ability, the student regent represents the interests of the students, university system/university and the State of Texas. The student regents may serve on special commissions, task forces and committees during their term and are expected to participate in required regent activities, including orientation sessions conducted by the Office of the Governor and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Student regents will be required to file an annual personal financial statement with the Texas Ethics Commission and abide by the laws of the State of Texas applicable to board service, including the state ethics laws. The student regent is encouraged to be involved with the student governments on each campus which they represent and to have a working relationship with faculty, staff and representative student organizations.

Student Regent Qualifications

To qualify, an individual must be enrolled and in good standing as a student in one of the colleges or schools within the UNT Health Science Center. The applicant must have earned a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average and must maintain this minimum performance level throughout his/her term. The president of the institution where the student is enrolled is required to notify the Governor if the student regent fails to maintain his/her qualifications. The Governor, in turn, will declare the position vacant and fill the vacancy as soon as practicable. A student regent is not eligible for reappointment. Preference will be given to applicants who are residents of the State of Texas and who have a general knowledge of the functions of the board of regents. Student regent applicants must have a strong desire to represent all university students within their respective system/institution.

Overview of the Role of the Boards of Regents

The governor of the State of Texas appoints regents for all public university systems, including the University of North Texas System.

The boards of regents for the State of Texas are vested with the legal and corporate authority to ensure that the mission of the system/university is carried out, and in doing so, are accountable to the citizens of Texas. Members of the board of regents are appointed by the governor with staggered six-year terms. One student regent is appointed with a one-year term. Many boards of regents operate through standing committees and also subcommittees and special committees.

The boards and their committees meet throughout the year.

The regents establish policy in areas such as personnel, campus development, student tuition and fees, admissions, and financial aid. The duties of the regents include overseeing the financial management of the system/university, its investments and property holdings as well as major appointments including the chancellors of the systems, presidents of the universities and other key personnel. The regents delegate a broad range of authority and responsibility to the system chancellor and university presidents.

Remuneration for Expenses

Although serving without compensation, a student regent is entitled to be reimbursed for expenses incurred for attendance at meetings of the board, its committees, other official university events and conferences where travel is approved for board members.

Timeline for the UNT Health Science Center Application Process

October 1 Student governments will be invited to solicit nominations from each school within the Health Science Center.

November 15 Deadline for applications to be received in the Office of Student Affairs. An unofficial transcript must also be submitted with the Health Science Center Student Regent application and the Governor's application. (Note: At this stage, each applicant will have his/her academic, financial and disciplinary standing verified by the registrar and appropriate student services administrator as well as a criminal records check.)

By December 10 Applications will be reviewed by a panel of Student Affairs Professionals and the top five selections will be forwarded to the Office of the President.

By December 17 The president of the campus will forward the recommendations to the Chancellor’s Office. The official applications will be filed in the president’s office and a copy of the complete file maintained in the Office of Student Affairs.

By February 1 From the materials received, the chancellor will select no more than three applicants (unranked) to submit to the governor for his consideration.

On June 1 The governor appoints a student regent for a one-year term expiring the following May 31. (By statute, the governor may request to review all applications received by the student governments. Additionally, the governor is not required to appoint an applicant recommended by the chancellor.)