Denied again

University should have a student regent

At the University Board of Regents meeting in Grand Rapids recently, the question of establishing a student seat on the board once again came face to face with the regents. And like responses before, the regents were not receptive to the concept. MSA President Trent Thompson and the assembly must not be discouraged in their efforts to establish a student regent and continue to build support on campus and throughout the state.

A student regent has long been a goal of many students here at the University. The Board of Regents is the governing body of the University and directs all of the University's funds. Regents are elected to their positions, and they serve without compensation. The regents hold a public meeting each month.

Many students feel that they would play a greater role in University affairs if a current student's voice had a vote on the board. While the majority of the current regents are former University students, they do not have the same perspective of someone who attends classes, writes term papers and spends virtually all his or her time on campus. A great deal has changed at the University since the regents were attending classes, and someone at the forefront of student life can best represent student interests.

Certainly the board recognizes that the University's pulse is its students. The regents' bylaws state in Sec 7.05 that "Student participation in University decision-making is important to the quality of student life at the University, and shall be encouraged." Student input helps the regents make decisions that can most benefit the University as a whole. A student regent would give other students at the University a peer on the board, which likely would increase communication between the student body and the regents. Some students who might otherwise be uncomfortable seeking out the regents may be put at ease by someone of their age and experience on the board.

Thompson's latest setback with the board should not discourage him from leading the student body in the quest for a student regent. His proposal requested a student fee increase of $4 in the hopes of putting the question on a statewide ballot. This proposal was unlikely to be accepted anyway, as there is just not enough time before the state election to properly take up such an important issue.

MSA should stay away from collecting fees from students in the quest for a student regent. There is no guarantee - should the board ever allow such a fee - that the money spent would result in success. There is too great a risk that student dollars would be wasted.

The most promising avenue would seem to be lobbying the Legislature directly and raising student awareness of the issue. The Office of the Governor released poll results showing that 73 percent of Michigan voters would support a student regent ballot proposal. MSA not too long ago achieved some success when Rep. Lingg Brewer (D-Holt) agreed to sponsor a bill to place the issue on the ballot. While opposition is strong in the state Senate, Brewer's support is evidence that both Houses can eventually be won over to the cause.

The founding of a student regent is a difficult task; it requires a change to be made to the state constitution. And as with any difficult task, the establishment of a student regent cannot be achieved immediately. MSA and the student body as a whole must be diligent in their work. With a strong, concentrated effort the goal of a student regent can become a reality.

06-29-98