SBP-elect Leimenstoll reopens application for 3 administrative posts

Student government’s executive has reopened applications for three senior positions in Student Body President-elect Will Leimenstoll’s administration after not receiving enough applications.

Applications, which were initially due Sunday at 5 p.m., are still being accepted for student body vice president, student body secretary and chief of staff. They are due Friday.

The committee charged with presenting a list of names to Leimenstoll said they are not worried the lack of applicants indicates disinterest in his administration.

Student Body President Mary Cooper, who sits on the committee, said the extensive time commitment and other challenges the positions require might have discouraged students from applying.

“There’s a lot of work involved with these positions,” she said.
Leimenstoll asked to reopen the application pool, she said.

After the deadline, the committee will review applications and recommend three candidates to Leimenstoll for each position.

“They didn’t feel like the number allowed them to provide me with the three highly qualified people,” Leimenstoll said.

Positions to be filled also include student body treasurer and senior adviser. The application deadlines for these positions were not extended.

Leimenstoll said he will announce his decisions March 22.

Student Body Vice President Zealan Hoover said Leimenstoll met with him to discuss the role of external appointments.

“I know that Will is very excited about putting together his team and making sure that the Leimenstoll administration starts off on the strongest foundations possible,” Hoover said.

Hoover, who is not on the selection committee, declined to comment on whether he applied to be student body vice president again.

Reopening applications is not without precedent. The deadline was extended two years ago for positions in Hogan Medlin’s administration, Cooper said.

Leimenstoll said he plans to reach out to students and encourage them to apply by using social media and emailing listservs.

But his involvement with the initial selection process is limited.

The student body president-elect is not part of the committee.
After Leimenstoll’s selections are announced, they will still need to be approved by Student Congress.

“There is a constitutional process that we have to fulfill when we appoint people,” Student Congress Speaker Zach De La Rosa said.

He said he expects the extension will invite more students to apply.

“The reality is we need more people. Hopefully we have more.”

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