The Oracle

Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: News

Ochsenbein

A Tech student was recently named as one of three finalists to serve as Tennessee Board of Regents Student Regent.

Sean Ochsenbein was selected as a top three finalist for Student Regent. He was voted into the top three by all of the TBR student body presidents.

The Student Regent serves a one year term as an active, voting member of 18-member Tennessee Board of Regents, the board that sets the policies and guidelines that govern all 45 TBR institutions

"I am excited I might have the opportunity to have such a great honor," Ochsenbein said. "I understand that I am representing many students and have to be up-to- date on all issues facing the TBR, but I also have to keep in mind what would be in the student's best interest."

Ochsenbein is a sophomore biology and health sciences major and was recently elected as Tech Student Government Association president. He is also a member of Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and Chem-Med club, and he holds various leadership positions on and off campus.

As Student Regent, Ochsenbein would be expected to attend the TBR quarterly meetings and other committee meetings as necessary, which may require traveling throughout the state.

According to the TBR Web site, the board is empowered by law to employ the system chancellor and define his or duties, choose and hire presidents of institutions, determine curricula and requirements for diplomas and degrees, approve the budgets of each institution, establish polices and regulations regarding the campus life, and assume general responsibility for the operations of the institutions.

If selected, Ochsenbein will be able to express the views and concerns of the approximately 190,000 students that he will represent to the TBR. He will be able to voice student's opinions on subjects such as tuition raises and removing the tuition cap to the TBR board.

And Ochsenbein is looking forward to the opportunity.

"I am ready to make decisions to help the students in the TBR system," Ochsenbein said.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen selects the Student Regent from the finalists. And he is expected to make his decision at the beginning of July.

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