2-term ASG President Atul Bhula says goodbye

After two years as the leader of the UNC-system Association of Student Governments and as the sole student member on the system’s Board of Governors, Atul Bhula is preparing to step out of office.

The next association president will be elected Saturday at ASG’s monthly meeting at N.C. State University and will formally take office May 1.

Bhula’s two terms have been marked by an uncertain future of education funding, rising tuition costs and criticism about the association’s effectiveness.

“These last two years have been really, really interesting, that’s for sure,” Bhula said. “It’s a bittersweet moment.”

The association is composed of student leaders across the state and is funded by an annual $1 student fee. Criticism about an inefficient use of student fees thrust ASG and Bhula’s leadership into the limelight this year.

In February, UNC-CH had a student referendum to see if students wanted to retain the school’s membership in ASG. Students chose to maintain the University’s participation by a 57.4 percent to 40.8 percent vote.

ASG failed to achieve quorum for its March meeting.

“Some of (the criticism) was completely unformed,” Bhula said. “I always appreciate constructive criticism, but criticism without any alternatives — I don’t know if I appreciate that.”

Bhula created a task force in November to look into reforming the association.

The legislation created by the task force, chaired by UNC-CH’s former Student Body President Mary Cooper, has yet to pass.

“I would have liked to see this done a while back,” Bhula said.

Cooper said it will take time for the association to change.

“Atul really did want to make it better,” she said. “There are always things leaders could have done better, but Atul did step up to the plate to take on a big leadership role in a challenging year.”

Tuition and fees increased by a system-wide average of 8.8 percent this year. ASG released a letter supporting the tuition proposal designed by system President Thomas Ross — a move that drew some criticism.

ASG Senior Vice President Arjay Quizon said he would have preferred to see ASG create its own recommendation to present to the Board of Governors.

And association members have long hoped for its president, a non-voting member of the board, to gain a vote.

Bhula said he has made progress through individual conversations with board members who have expressed interest in the possibility of adding the student vote.

In the past, some had criticized Bhula for not publicly speaking up at board meetings. But personal conversations have defined Bhula’s participation.

“One of Atul’s greatest strengths has been his leadership with the board,” Quizon said. “Most of the board members know Atul by first name, and they have a lot of respect for him.”

Within the association, Bhula cited his creation of a $50,000 surplus within the budget to be used for future projects as his biggest accomplishment.

Quizon said he has admired Bhula’s leadership.

“He keeps informed about what’s happening with the system, and he communicates with the student body presidents very well, and that’s Atul in a nutshell.”

Cooper cited Bhula’s ability to work well with diverse personalities as his biggest strength.

“I think Atul will be remembered by a lot of members of the association as the president who was their friend.”

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