Jasper appointed to Board of Regents

The Board of Regents is charged with supervising, coordinating, managing and controlling the Montana University System. One of the members of the board shall be a student appointed by the governor who is registered full-time at a unit of higher education under the jurisdiction of the board. The length of the term of the student member is one year with the possibility of reappointment to successive terms.

Carter Jasper, 21, a standout graduate of the St. Regis School class of 2022 has been recently appointed to this position as he begins his senior year, majoring in political science at the University of Montana. “There is one seat designated by law to be occupied by a full-time student and it is a full-voting member that has all of the same voting rights and privileges that the full time regents carry. Mine is just for a year from July 1st to June 30th. So, I haven’t been sworn in. Actually, I don’t know if I get sworn in or not, but it’s the full academic year,” he smiles. Jasper can’t remember how he heard initially about the position but said, “I always lean on, first my parents, but then my involvement in 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) that instilled in me ‘the give back mentality’ as I feel it’s very important to return the help that was given to you.”

A student regent commits to full participation in the Board of Regents regular meetings, committee meetings, and other activities. The student regent typically serves on two committees– the Academic, Research and Students Affairs Committee (ARSA) and one other committee with assignment dependent on student background, interest and needs of the Board. This position must be familiar with the MUS strategic plan, the primary planning document of the Board of Regents, and pledges to stay current on issues and opportunities facing the MUS and its Board of Regents. Again, the student regent will be expected to review BOR materials when they are posted and to be prepared to engage in discussion as appropriate on these materials with other Board members, campus leaders, and the public.

House District Representative Curtis Cochran and Senator Denley Loge are also residents of St. Regis and have known Jasper since he was a small boy. They campaigned for him for this position and were very proud knowing that he would represent not only Mineral County, but the state of Montana very well. “I was very excited when I saw Carter’s application for the position. I talked personally with the Governor and Lt. Governor about him and everything he’s been involved in,” said Loge. “He was huge in BPA (Business Professionals of America) all through high school. 4-H Congress, Class President. There are so many other organizations he not only participated in but helped grow them. He has so much positive energy that he is a strong fit for the BOR.”

“It doesn’t surprise me that Carter was appointed to the Board of Regents,” said St. Regis School Principal, Shaun Ball. “He’s a funny and charismatic young man with a bright future.  It also wouldn’t surprise me if he became president one day.  He likes to debate and he’s good at it!!!  He’s the one responsible for overturning the closed campus rule during lunch time and the no hat rule at school. Students to this day are enjoying both of those freedoms.  Go Carter!”

Derek Larson, St. Regis School Superintendent, was also full of praise. “Carter Jasper was a strong student leader in his time at St. Regis School. He spoke to the school board on a few occasions about issues concerning the student body and various rights and freedoms that he felt would be a benefit to the students. For his age, he is quite good at evaluating the response to his messages and adapting on the fly. He is a natural promoter. Not a gifted musician, but he can keep a beat and learned how to read music. I can't wait to see where this takes him,” he laughs as Larson is also the band instructor.  

“I'd love to share a few thoughts about Carter,” beamed Tyler Cheesman, St. Regis K-12 School Counselor. “Carter has been a strong leader for as long as I can remember, both in the classroom and through student government. He's always had a passion for politics. I still remember when he dressed up as George Washington as a kid on Halloween and told me a few years later in elementary school I could be his Surgeon General when he becomes the youngest president. Hopefully, he remembers that one! In junior high, he got the student council behind a plan to get water bottle fillers installed, and in high school, he pushed for some big changes. Like ending our closed campus and giving students the option to be outside during lunch breaks rather than just the gym and lunchroom. He's never been afraid to speak up or stand up for what he believes in. He's got a bright future ahead of him, and this appointment is just one more step in a path I've seen him carving out for years. I'm excited for him!”

The BOR schedules regular meetings in March, May, September, and November of each calendar year. BOR planning meetings are scheduled for January and sometime in the summer each year. Conference-call meetings take place between regular meetings as deemed necessary by the Chair of the Board and on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Higher Education. Students who have served on the Board of Regents report that it afforded them a valuable leadership development opportunity. Many have progressed to other leadership and/or policy positions.

Carter said he began the process with an application to the Montana Associated Students. It was a 2-part interview process, he explained. “I interviewed with a committee after submitting a resume’, cover letter, personal statement a 4-letters of recommendations.” All the student governments from all public universities across Montana are part of the MAA, but only 1 student per year has this esteemed position.