(a) The governor shall appoint the regents subject to confirmation by a majority of all the members of the legislature in joint session. The names of those appointed shall be sent to the legislature within five days after the opening of the session, for confirmation or rejection. If a person appointed is not confirmed by a majority vote of all the members of the legislature, the appointment ceases and the name of another person shall be submitted within three days after the rejection. If the legislature adjourns without confirming the nominee, or if an interim vacancy occurs, the governor may appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. However, the person who has failed to be confirmed may not be appointed. The term of office of the appointee expires on the fifth day of the session of the legislature following the appointment.

(b) At least one member of the Board of Regents must be a student. The student shall be appointed from a list of nominees submitted to the governor. The governor shall make the appointment from the list within 60 days after it is submitted. The list shall consist of the names of two students from each campus of the University of Alaska after an election is held at each campus. Elections shall be conducted under rules established by the Office of the Governor. The term of office of the regent appointed from the general student body, University of Alaska, is for two years. The term of office begins June 1 of the year in which the appointment is made. An appointment made under AS 14.40.130(d) shall be for the unexpired term of the original appointee. The term “campus” used in this subsection means a portion of the University of Alaska designated as a “campus” by the Board of Regents.