The Department of Student Life has a new accountant: David Young.

A 2003 Saint Louis University graduate, Young took the position of senior financial assistant in early March. His position calls for him to oversee the financial transactions of chartered student organizations-one of the jobs that Financial Coordinator Chris Rhynerson, who left SLU earlier in the semester, fulfilled.

According to Assistant Vice President for Student Development Phil Lyons, who oversaw Rhynerson's office, the financial coordinator's obligations have been divided between Young and Van Viggerhagen, who will handle "divisional accounts" for student development.

"It's been fairly clear this year that we need someone to focus on the student accounts," Lyons said of Young's task. "The student accounts need attention."

He added, "He'll be doing almost the same things that students went to Chris Rhynerson for."

Young said he planned to "communicate with the students and make sure they get all the policy procedures that the University wants them to abide by."

"I pay Phil's bills-that's the way I see it," Young said.

Lyons said that Young, who served as the president of the Black Student Alliance during the 2002-2003 school year and was also involved with other large student groups, like Oriflamme and the Student Activities Board, has experience dealing with large student accounts.

"He knows the trials and tribulations that student leaders go through," Lyons said.

The University has also begun its search for a new director of Student Life. Michael Doody, S.J., who is heading up the search committee, said 70 people have applied for the position.

The 10-member committee, composed equally of students and staff, has already reviewed 50 résumés. The committee plans to conduct phone interviews with 10 of those applicants, then review the remaining resumes and conduct phone interviews with a portion of those 20 applicants.

Doody said the committee plans to narrow the pool of candidates down to between three or five individuals, who the committee would interview on campus.

The committee should announce its choice for the position by mid-to-late April, Doody said.