It appears Mike Nelson can’t pull himself away from student government.
Only a few short months off the job as student body vice president, Nelson received an appointment to serve as Associated Students of the University of Utah’s Supreme Court chief justice next year.
ASUU President Billy Edwards appointed Nelson because of his extensive understanding of RedBook, ASUU’s policy manual, Nelson said. As vice president of ASUU last year, Nelson worked on many amendments to the policy manual.
“He’s had tons of experience with RedBook. With all of his experience, no one is more qualified than him [to serve on the Supreme Court],” Edwards said.
The candidates were appointed by Edwards and await official approval by the Student Senate before they take office. The Senate is expected to vote on the appointees June 25.
Though the other three appointees?Jenifer Tomchak, Heather Thuet, Mark Barela? and the additional three justices appointed last year are law students, it is not necessarily a prerequisite for serving on the court, Edwards said.
In fact, Nelson is a communication major.
But despite this difference, Edwards believes Nelson is the best man for the job.
“He’s a very smart and capable person, and he has such a great understanding of what goes on around campus?Of all the people that applied, he’s the man to lead them,” Edwards said.
Serving a second year as Senate Chairwoman, Kristin McDonald said she would like to see more ASUU “veterans” serving on the Supreme Court.
“ASUU vets have wonderful experience and extensive background with student government,” she said.
“If you don’t have that understanding [of RedBook], I don’t care where you came from.”
McDonald hopes in the future to directly control the appointment process so members of the Assembly and Senate are familiar with the justices and their platforms before they take an oath of office. Nelson said his experience with RedBook will be a major tool in ruling on issues.
“Having worked with and being familiar with RedBook will be very helpful in allowing us to make wise decisions,” he said.