Empty seat

Lack of student on regent board hurts 'U'

The idea of having a student regent on the University Board of Regents is not new. It is decades old, but only in recent years have students taken such firm action in seeing it become a reality.

In 1998, the Michigan State Assembly tried increasing student fees by $4 per semester. That effort was an attempt to provide the funds needed to promote a constitutional change on the statewide ballot, a necessary step towards appointing a student regent. The current state constitution restricts the University from having a seat on the board reserved for a student. Unfortunately, the Board of Regents rejected this idea of fund-raising, even though it was a popular idea among students.

Being the only public university in the Big Ten without a student regent, the University's disadvantages are apparent. Because other schools have this critical link between students and administrators, students are more involved in the administrative processes that affect them directly. This involvement encompasses opportunities such as exchanging ideas with regents, awareness of the inner workings of the University and having more contact with state officials such as the governor and state legislators.

Additionally, a student serving on the board of regents would also motivate other students and organizations to turn their goals into reality. Often, administrators can be intimidating to students, and having someone on the same level to correspond with can be a very helpful way to interchange ideas.

For other schools, the consequent benefits have translated into lower tuition and increased funding from state officials, not to mention a student voice at every meeting behind closed doors.

Although MSA has put funding on hold since March, this does not mean students cannot pursue other avenues of influence to fight for a student regent. Lobbying the Legislature directly and raising awareness of the issue is always a promising way to get a message across. In fact, last year Gov. John Engler's office released poll results showing that 73 percent of Michigan voters would support a student regent ballot proposal. In the past, MSA has succeeded in acquiring sponsorship of a bill to place the issue on ballot from a state representative.

It is important that University students do not give up hope. With so much at stake and such a wide range of support from students and Michigan citizens alike, now is the time to get active. As the University continues its mission to grow and improve, each year that passes, is one without student interest at the forefront of change as long as there is no student regent.

With the focus of the student body, diligence and perseverance, the goal of obtaining a student regent surely can materialize. It is crucial for student government to keep faith in the cause and continually challenge University administrators and state officials to maximize student voice in the decision-making process.

09-15-99