How does a student learn how to apply for an open position on the state Board of Regents? If you have a personal relationship with President Martin Jischke, you get a phone call from his personal assistant.

It seems odd that a regent position reserved for a student voice on the board can be filled without one word uttered to the general public, without one word in print—in short, with a minimal amount of student involvement in the process.

We wish Lisa Ahrens, the freshman in agronomy and agriculture business, the best of luck as her nomination goes to the Iowa Senate. We have no doubt she will be a great regent if chosen, but, nonetheless, the average student can’t help but ask, “Why didn’t I get a chance?”

Ahrens, who is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, seems to have had the qualifications needed for Jischke’s recommendation to Gov. Branstad.

But how many other students have the same qualifications?

If we, the students, would have had a chance to question Ahrens, we might have a better idea of how qualified she is to represent us.

A student hand-picked by the president and governor might not be truly representative of Iowa students.

The fact that she is a freshman is only more worrisome. How much experience can she have with the university and with college issues?

Many second- and third-year students don’t have a complete grasp of student needs. What are the chances that a student who has been here less than a year has the knowledge about the university and students needed to represent us?

If the government of the state of Iowa is serious about having student involvement on the Board of Regents, then all students must be given the chance to apply and have voice in the nomination.