The student trustee debate gave the candidates an opportunity to present their differing ideas to students.
Ohio University’s Student Senate agreed to give students more of a say when it comes to choosing the representative that will voice students’ perspectives to the Board of Trustees, the university’s governing body.
Students will vote, as part of the senate election, on whom they’d prefer to see in that position. Ultimately, Gov. John Kasich has the final say, but on Thursday night, students were able to hear what were on some of the trustees candidates’ minds at a debate.
Four of the seven candidates, Alex Mayle, Devin Sudman, Kendra Lutes and Evie Weir were present in Walter 135 for the debate while Patrick Roden appeared through Google Hangouts while he is studying abroad in Australia.
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A student trustee must have a permanent residence in the state of Ohio and be able to serve in the position for two years.
The current student trustees are Keith Wilbur and Sharmaine Wilcox.
About 40 people attended the Student Trustee Debate, which was hosted by Senate Vice President Caitlyn McDaniel and moderated by former Post Campus Editor Will Drabold. Mitchell Smith of senate’s Board of Elections kept time.
During opening statements Mayle, a sophomore studying computer sciences, said, “I’m interested in how a university this large runs relatively smoothly, and I would like to play a part in that.”
Lutes, a sophomore studying communication, said, if appointed, she would make herself approachable to students on campus.
Echoing Lutes, Sudman said communication with students is also vital. Sudman, a sophomore studying engineering technology and management, says he feels very connected to people throughout campus.
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“If someone is in power making big decisions, you should be comfortable going up to them and saying I have an issue,” Sudman said.
Weir, a freshman studying fine arts theater, emphasized the need for student power at the university.
“I don't think things are running smoothly at the university,” Weir said.
Roden feels that communication between the students and the board needs to improve.
“Students can direct questions directly to me,” said Roden, a sophomore studying engineering technology and management.
One of the questions posed to the candidates centered on student debt and what they would do if tuition increased.
Being a student and working is a lot to handle, Sudman said, noting that people can’t work around the clock.
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“I, for one, am in student debt,” Sudman said.
Other candidates spoke out in favor of a stagnant tuition.
“I definitely don’t believe tuition needs to go up year after year,” Mayle said.
Lutes said she supports the OHIO Guarantee Tuition model, which offers a flat tuition rate to students for four, consecutive years.
“I think that we have to give the administration a little bit of credit,” Lutes said. “OU needs a lot of money to run and it needs to come from somewhere.”
Elections for the student trustee position will be held April 14 to 16.
@megankhenry
