Matthews Endorses Newcomb For Student Attorney General

Newcomb, a journalism major, will go before the Rules and Judiciary Committee of Student Congress tonight for approval to be appointed to the post.

Newcomb has been a member of the Student Attorney General's staff for 14 months and has been a special investigations associate student attorney general for the last four, Matthews said.

"He is unquestionably dedicated to the office and is interested in it for the right reasons," Matthews said.

Newcomb was unable to be reached for comment Monday night.

Matthews said Newcomb is the best positioned to protect the interests and rights of the student body -- even when it comes to questions about the Honor Court.

"(Newcomb) has a healthy respect for the tradition of student self-governance and has an eye toward making it better," Matthews said.

In light of recent debate about the future of UNC's student judicial system, Matthews said he and Newcomb have held several discussions about a possible overhaul of the system.

"This is going to be a reform year, and I think Brad recognizes that," Matthews said.

"He is very intent on making sure every counsel is above and beyond providing adequate defense to any student."

Matthews said Newcomb has discussed the need to examine the system for problems and ways to solve them.

"I think it is in the students' best interest to maintain a self-governing process, and I know Brad will defend that," Matthews said. "He will work with all constituencies to arrive at a compromise that maintains the integrity of the system."

Matthews held interviews with the three applicants for the post last weekend, and he said it was a very difficult decision for him to make.

"The quality of applicants was outstanding," he said.

Student Attorney General Taylor Lea said Newcomb is a good choice for the position. "It's fabulous," she said. "He will do a fabulous job."

The student attorney general presides over a staff of managing associate student attorney generals, business associate student attorney generals, special investigations associate student attorney generals, an outreach associate student attorney general, counsels and a graduate student attorney general staff.

Lea said Newcomb has contributed a great deal to her staff as a special investigations associate student attorney general, a post he has held since Nov. 1.

"(Newcomb) will be a great asset to this University," she said. "He is extremely well spoken, very intelligent, he has a huge amount of experience and he's a great leader.

"He has a lot of interesting ideas."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.