Graduate Student Senate passed a resolution last week that requests future student members of the Board of Trustees be granted full voting rights. Ohio state law prohibits student trustees from voting, counting toward a quorum or sitting in on executive session. The two current student trustees are limited to an advisory role, and it would require state legislation to change their status. Senate's resolution is just the first step in that direction ' a sign that this is a matter of concern. And it should be.
The campaign to change the law will not be easy, but the potential benefits are clear. Granting students two votes on the Board of Trustees would increase shared governance at Ohio University. This is important, especially in light of students' recent calls for more of a voice in crucial decisions such as sports and other budget cuts.
Student trustees having voting rights is not a radical idea. As of 2001, 25 states allowed student trustees to vote. Neither is this the first such debate in Ohio. In fact, this issue has been on the statehouse agenda for more than a decade. In 1996, a bill supporting full privileges for student trustees, sponsored by Rep. Amy Salerno, R-Columbus, passed the Ohio House of Representatives, but died in the Senate. Salerno sponsored a similar bill in 2001. At OU, the 2001-02 Student Senate passed two resolutions in support of Salerno's bill. Also, within the last decade, the student senates at Ohio State University and Miami University have raised this idea.
One objection that some might raise is the Board of Trustees is supposed to look out for the welfare of the entire university, and giving one constituency the right to vote could render the decision-making process more partisan. But students are the most important constituency ' the reason this institution exists. As such, students should have a say in decisions that affect the education they receive.
Student trustee Lydia Gerthoffer raised another objection. If granted voting rights, she said, student trustees would have to meet with every student group on campus, which would be too much responsibility and potentially make it a full-time position. Indeed, the position would entail more of a commitment, but student trustees ought to already be meeting with student groups and doing a substantial amount of work for their positions.
As it stands, there is relatively little interest in filling the position of student trustee, with its two-year commitment and minor role in university governance, but a vote would surely make the position more appealing. The vote would also be a measure of accountability. Student trustees exist to ensure students' opinions are heard, so student trustees are not doing their jobs if they don't think they should have voting power.Editorials represent the majority opinion of the executive editors. Send your submissions to posteditorial@ohiou.edu.
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Granting student trustees right to vote an important step to shared governance
