Ohio University student trustee applications are due Thursday.
Applications for candidates in Ohio University’s first student trustee election are due Thursday.
Student trustees represent the interests of the student body in meetings with administrators and the Board of Trustees.
OU’s Student Senate voted Jan. 21 to form a committee that would work to establish an election process for OU student trustees in an effort to give the student body a greater voice in the selection of their representatives.
“Senate has passed multiple resolutions in the past year to open up the trustee selection process,” Caitlyn McDaniel, Student Senate vice president, said in a previous Post report. “We find that an election is a way in which all stakeholders (that is, students of OU) can democratically participate in the selection process.”
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However, the election is still largely symbolic, according to Student Senate members.
The Ohio Revised Code states that Ohio Gov. John Kasich has the final say in selecting trustees, regardless of whom OU’s student body votes for.
To qualify for a student trustee position, an applicant must have permanent residence in the state of Ohio and be able to fulfill the entire two-year term, McDaniel said.
“Should you be selected by your peers as their representative on Ohio University's Board of Trustees you will be able to voice the student body's concerns over a range of issues, including changes in tuition, compensation practices for student employees, among others,” McDaniel said in an email sent to students.
Student Trustee applications can be found in the Student Senate office and more information on the election can be found on the Board of Trustees website.
Elections for the student trustee position will be held April 14 through 16, concurrent with the Student Senate elections.
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