November 1999

In carrying out her job this year as president of the Associated Students of The University of Montana, Kobos only need look to the example set by her parents. One a Rush Limbaugh-listening conservative, the other a bleeding-heart liberal, the two have nonetheless forged a successful 23-year marriage.

"My father is a staunch Republican," Kobos said. "My mother is a very liberal Democrat.

"It got really ugly when she voted for Perot," Kobos added with a laugh.

Her parents' shared values, however, impressed upon Kobos and her two siblings compassion and concern for others. The family united to participate in food drives and deliver food baskets to the needy in her hometown of Billings on Easter and Thanksgiving.

"From the beginning, I was taught that it's important to help people," she said. "I think it just became part of me."

Kobos' involvement in student politics is an extension of that ethic.

After holding positions of ASUM senator and director of Student Political Action, she was elected as student body president last May. She and her running mate, Vice President Jerry Lamb - the first American Indian ASUM executive - won on a platform of diversity and experience.

A junior majoring in political science and history, Kobos sees the political process as a way to help people on a grander scale than delivering food baskets.

"It's wonderful to help people out one at a time, but it's more effective to change policy," she said. "Government is a way to do that."

Kobos isn't affiliated with a political party, although she describes herself as a fiscal conservative and a liberal on social issues. She said the two aren't mutually exclusive.

"Let's teach people, get them some training," she said. "You have to spend a little to save a lot. You have to look long-term. I think too many politicians just look short-term."

While Kobos may not be able to tackle major societal issues from the helm of UM's student government, she already has had some significant successes on campus. Her first challenge, last spring, was to meet with UM President George Dennison and the Board of Regents to discuss a proposed technology fee.

"I'm kind of a blue jeans and overalls kind of girl, so it was intimidating to go into meetings with all those administrators in suits," she said. "I didn't want them to hate me, but at the same time I didn't want to give up. I'm really stubborn."

Her negotiations on behalf of UM students helped lower the fee from $51 to $28. "I felt like I stuck my ground and fought for what I felt was right," she said. "And I still felt respected by President Dennison and the Board of Regents."

President Dennison described Kobos as well-prepared for the ASUM presidency.

"She understands the issues, processes and procedures, and she works hard to make certain that we all communicate well," Dennison said. "While effective communication will not resolve the issues, it will facilitate their identification so that we can focus on them and make progress toward responsive solutions."

Another of Kobos' successes was the credit cap, which would have limited to 144 the number of credits resident students could earn before having to pay nonresident tuition. Kobos and the Student Political Action office were able to up the limit to 170 credits.

Kobos makes it clear that students are her top priority, and that she has an open-door policy.

"I want all students to feel comfortable talking to me," she said. " I want students to know that I'm their president, and to know where their ASUM fee dollars are going."

The ASUM president is paid for 21 hours a week on the job, but at $5.15 an hour, Kobos is definitely not in it for the money. She easily puts in 40 to 60 hours a week, sometimes more, and that's on top of a 13-credit class load.

"You do it because you love it," she said.

The educational experiences Kobos is getting during her tenure as ASUM president will undoubtedly come in handy after she graduates in 2001.

"I would love to stay in politics," she said. "On what level, I don't know - whether as an organizer or an actual candidate.

"A house seat looks good," she added with a mischievous grin. "I hear the governor's mansion is nice."

-- Patia Stephens

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