The UW System Board of Regents, which influences university policies such as admission standards and budgets, was appointed a new member by Gov. Jim Doyle in May, UW-Madison first-year law student Beth Richlen.
According to Regent President Guy Gottschalk, the existence of a student regent is crucial for student representation.
\It has been my experience that the student regents are the only regents that have a focus constituency, that being the students,"" Gottschalk said.
According to David Walsh, Regent vice president, Richlen has succeeded in representing students thus far.
""What's great about Beth is the way she actively engages, participates and understands both sides of issues. Not only does Beth address issues, but she does so with the students' best interest in mind,"" Walsh said.
Additionally, Richlen's experience as an undergraduate at UW-Stevens Point and her standing as a law student make her an unusually dynamic regent with an understanding of student needs, according to Gottschalk.
""She's got kind of a dual perspective that others have not had in that she's completed her undergraduate degree and is now in an advanced degree ... so I think that she brings something a little extra to the table in that regard,"" Gottschalk said.
Richlen said she agreed that it is imperative that she stands up for UW System students.
""I want to be a voice, a voice that is heard and respected by the regents and the students,"" Richlen said.
Since Richlen's first meeting in May, she has been appointed to various committees including one dealing with the UW System budget.
Richlen said she plans to stimulate Plan 2008, which is UW-Madison's effort to achieve multi-culturalism by recruiting more students of diverse backgrounds and in the long run improve campus climate.
Additionally, Richlen said she hopes students in the UW System will become more familiar with the Board of Regents and how their decisions effect their campus and education. By representing the students and bringing their ideas to the Board, Richlen said she wants to gain respect as a regent.
