The 15 students who will organize many student government programs next year and determine the fate of $67,600 have been chosen.
The Executive Cabinet of the Associated Students of the University of Utah is the group who direct some of the most visible programs of ASUU, including the student advocacy forums and the family fun days. These students each lead a board of five to 20 members and perform various functions in ASUU from advertising the organization to raising money for the various ASUU programs.
After a week, in which president and vice president elect Bill Edwards and Randall Lloyd interviewed more than 100 applicants, Edwards is happy with his decision.
“Everyone’s really sharp,” he said.
Edwards said he and Lloyd looked for students who had a clear idea of what they wanted to do as members of Executive Cabinet.
Many of the students appointed have experience with different areas of campus as well as ideas for their various boards.
Jake Werrett, who was appointed to lead the campus relations board, served in the Student Senate this year. Megan Cunha and Marcus Lopez, who will oversee communications and public relations next year, were heavily involved in the leadership of the residence halls. Ryan Thompson, attorney general, and Ryan Wilson, finance board chairman, will continue to fill the positions they currently hold.
Cunha, who served as president of the residence halls, is excited about her upcoming term as director of the communications office.
“It’s a new opportunity,” she said. “I’ve never worked with ASUU, I think it will be a growing experience for me.”
The other students appointed to the cabinet are Erik Larson, academic affairs; Candice Rush, development; Brady Hildt, diversity; Arlyn Bradshaw, government relations; Joe Wixom, non traditional students; Maryam Basmenji, student advocacy; Matt Grimm, student services; and Adrian Johnson, technology. Ryan Parker and Tiffin Brough will serve as executive assistants next year.
“The cabinet’s role is to find the best way to enhance [U students’] college experience,” Lloyd said. “I see their role as working together to better students lives.”
Lloyd hopes to increase the effectiveness of the incoming cabinet by clearly defining the roles and duties of each board and asking cabinet members to hold specific office hours, totaling about 20 hours a week.
“Our hopes are just that everyone on cabinet will have an incredible experience,” Lloyd said.
According to Lloyd, he and Edwards made an effort to get students from a variety of campus backgrounds to apply for cabinet positions. They took applications to the student groups and personally invited some campus leaders to apply for positions. This diversity of applicants naturally led to a cabinet that represents all of campus, according to Lloyd.
The newly appointed cabinet’s first duty will be to feed students breakfast this morning near the Union.