ASG Cuts Administrative VP Post

The Council of Student Body Presidents, which also acts as the ASG board of directors, came to the conclusion that the position is unnecessary, said council Chairman Ryan Eller, a student at Appalachian State University.

"The council has voted to withdraw that search for this year," he said. "We don't need it. The funding can be used in a different way."

The decision does not need to be approved by the full ASG.

The position originally was to be filled by a student who then would have hired a full-time administrator, said ASG President Jonathan Ducote, who also sits on the UNC-system Board of Governors as a nonvoting member.

The UNC-system General Administration will take over the search for a full-time administrator -- who will serve as a full-time office manager and administrative assistant -- because of a change in hiring policy, Ducote said.

The administrator now will be classified as an employee who must follow the guidelines of the State Employee Act, he said.

Prior to the change, the administrator fell into a category that exempted him from the regulations.

Ducote said the change in classification means the hiring now falls under the responsibility of the General Administration.

He added that the hiring responsibility also placed an undue burden on him and his staff.

The new office manager likely will be in place by 2003.

Ducote said the vice president position was eliminated because ASG officials are getting smarter in the way they conduct everyday business.

He also praised the efforts of ASG members in educating voters about the necessity of voting in the Nov. 5 election.

"Student leaders showed tremendous gusto," Ducote said. "(We) got the message out."

Ducote said he was interested in the way things would turn out on the state level rather than in any particular race.

Delegates also mobilized to prepare for ASG Student Day at the Capitol on Feb. 4.

Melody Rogers, chairwoman of the Public Affairs Committee and a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, said she will set up three committees to ensure the event is properly publicized and organized.

The shift in control of the legislature from Democrats to Republicans increases the need for a united student voice, Ducote said.

He emphasized that the lack of real leadership in either chamber means delegates will face more factions and coalitions when trying to deliver their message.

Ducote said students need to participate in Student Day at the Capitol to show legislators how powerful the student voice is concerning issues such as funding enrollment growth and keeping tuition affordable.

"(It's a) coming out day, if you will," Ducote said. "We're here and very serious about these issues. The future of this state depends on a well-funded public university system. It's going to be an exciting time, and you will make it happen."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.