Nate Martindale, who finished a term as the University of North Dakota's student president last month, has been chosen as the student representative on the state Board of Higher Education.

Martindale, 22, of Fargo, joins the board July 1. He will succeed Nick Rogers, a North Dakota State University pharmacy student. The board's student member serves for one year and is one of its eight voting members.

Martindale is a fifth-year UND senior this fall. He is studying for a business degree in management and entrepreneurship. A musician, he plays the violin in the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra.

Gov. John Hoeven appointed Martindale to the position on Tuesday, saying he "brings great qualities to the Board of Higher Education."

"His background in student government will give him a broad perspective in representing the students of the university system," the governor said in a statement. "He will help bring new ideas and student insight to the board."

The Board of Higher Education oversees North Dakota's university system, which includes six four-year colleges and five two-year institutions.

Martindale said that serving as UND's student president has helped give him a broader perspective of issues on other campuses.

"I had the opportunity to work with some of the other presidents and student governments across the state," he said.

Martindale said he sees tuition rates and the ConnectND computer software system as issues of interest. Students pay fees to maintain the ConnectND system, which is used for recordkeeping and student registration, and there has been widespread unhappiness among students about its performance.

Campus discussions about banning tobacco use also are likely to draw the board's scrutiny, Martindale said. "I think that will be an issue that will be coming quickly," he said.

Charles Kupchella, UND's president, has said smoking will be banned on UND's campus in October, and North Dakota State University is considering restrictions. Minot State University and Bismarck State College are already smoke-free.