The UNC-system Association of Student Governments' new office manager, Karen Spigner, started work Jan. 5 at the organization's Raleigh office.
The UNC-system Board of Governors voiced concern in September about the influence an administrator might have on the ASG's actions.
Instead, a body of ASG leaders voted unanimously to eliminate the proposed position of vice president of administration for the 2002-03 academic year.
In its place they created a post that most closely resembled an office manager. In this position, Spigner must follow the guidelines of the State Employee Act. Initially, the position was to be exempt from the regulations.
Spigner's salary comes from the $1 increase in student fees requested by the ASG for the 2002-03 academic year.
She will receive about $20,000 of the ASG's $165,000 budget, which was derived from the fee increase.
Spigner used to work for N.C. Agriculture & Technical State University and UNC-Greensboro.
"She's already familiar with the general university policies and procedures," said ASG President Jonathan Ducote.
Spigner has been working at the office for a little more than a week, and her presence already is felt by the association, Ducote said.
