After three years of the same ASMSU member voicing the undergraduate student university budget concerns, a new face will take over the duties.
Jared English likely will be appointed as the undergraduate student government’s Academic Assembly director of university, governmental and budgetary affairs by the assembly on April 9.
English will replace Jeff Ziarko, who is graduating in May with a degree in political economy and finance.
English, who has been an Academic Assembly James Madison College representative since February 2001, said he has been increasingly interested in the position since his freshman year.
“It seems a lot of people are being affected by state appropriations,” said English, who constructed a lobbying campaign plan for the year. “If you pay your own bills, you understand how much higher state appropriations mean.”
About 25 students applied for the position, but only 12 were eligible.
The responsibilities of the job include lobbying for budget issues at the federal, state and university levels. Tuition, financial aid policies and budgetary concerns affecting academic policy will be monitored by English.
The one-year term pays $1,170 per semester for Academic Assembly’s 11th session, which begins April 8.
English said he plans to bring representatives along with him on lobbying initiatives. He also wants to coordinate voting registration drives at national, state and local levels.
“A lot of these initiatives will require representatives to do the work,” the 19-year-old said.
Ziarko, who was a member of the five-member interviewing committee on March 15, said English was the best candidate for the job.
“Jared already has a strong grasp on university budget issues and influencing the budget process to benefit students,” Ziarko said.
For the past three years, Ziarko stressed to the administration that they need to be as concerned with the quality of education as they are with the cost of education.
“It’s a job a lot of people (at ASMSU) don’t understand,” Ziarko said.
Matt Clayson, Academic Assembly chairperson, said Ziarko brought the position to a new level and made it one of the most important positions in the organization.
Clayson said the ability to understand both the student and administration views on issues helped Ziarko complete his job.
Clayson expects English is going to take that to yet another level.
“Jared can create an atmosphere where all students understand the importance of the budget process, state appropriations and other university affairs,” Clayson said. “He can articulate that knowledge and be able to break down complex thoughts and ideas into simple statements.”
