Student leader group discusses trustee voting rights

Student leaders from across Ohio gathered at Ohio University's Baker Center on Saturday for a discussion on student trustee voting rights, an issue that has been discussed by OU's Student Senate over the course of fall quarter.

After a complex and lengthy discussion, OU Student Senate President Robert Leary said he was pleased to have pinpointed several options for the future as student leaders move forward with their goal of making sure the student voice is heard on university boards of trustees in Ohio.

OU Student Trustee Chauncey Jackson said although a student's voice may be heard today, it is important to look toward the future in deciding whether or not to lobby for legislation to establish voting rights for one or both student trustees on each board of Ohio's public four-year colleges and universities.

He said first-year trustees need to learn the terminology of the board, become familiar with budgets and learn how things work.

"(Student trustees) should sit down with the board officers," Jackson said. "I think there will be more success with that approach than passing a resolution (through the state Legislature)."

Ohio State University student Sen. Kevin Flynn said that from his school's perspective, there is nothing wrong with the system.

"We kind of abide by, 'If it's not broken, don't fix it,'" Flynn said.

Leary said the group seemed to agree that student trustees should be allowed to sit in during executive sessions, even if they do not ultimately obtain the right to have a vote on difficult issues.

About half of the group that attended, representing nine colleges and universities, said they were not allowed to attend executive sessions on their boards.

"I think it should be both or neither (trustees vote). I don't think we can split it up," Jackson said. "If they're not experienced in their first year, why are they experienced in their second year?... The other trustees are seasoned professionals."

He said it took until his second year as a trustee to truly analyze questions on important topics instead of looking to other trustees for their views.

Although most board votes are unanimous, Jackson said, there is always thorough discussion on each topic that goes before the Board of Trustees at OU.

Student trustees at Miami University do not attend executive sessions of that school's Board of Trustees, said Heath Ingram, a second-year student trustee. However, he said they are assured that their views, as representing the student view, are being considered.

"We know when we say something, everything is calculated into the decision-making," he said. "Our job as student representatives is not to represent necessarily the student body views at that time, but what will most benefit the future of the university."

Leary said he hopes the discussion will move toward asking for voting rights for at least one student trustee, as well as gaining access into executive sessions.

"Whenever you're dealing with a complex issue like this, it's very valuable to have a complex discussion," he said. "Many new viewpoints were brought up... and I think that's really going to contribute to the overall success of whatever we end up deciding to do."