Last semester you might have seen emails or Facebook posts advertising the Student Trustee application. I’m sure many of you thought, “What is a Student Trustee?” This is a question I once had, and that I have been asked many times, so I hope to share some information about the position.
My name is Evie Unsworth. I’m a senior at AU studying political science, and I am the student trustee for the 2015-16 academic year.
The position was created in 2006, after the Board of Trustees, the University, faculty and students all agreed the Board needed student representation and voice.
Every spring, students send in applications that are reviewed by the presidents of Student Government, the Student Bar Association and the Graduate Leadership Council. These leaders select candidates to interview, and then forward their recommendations on to the Board of Trustees. A few members from the Board interview each of the endorsed candidates and pass along their final recommendation to the entire Board. When the final candidate is chosen, the entire Board and the Ministry of the United Methodist Church vote and approve the candidate.
Once a candidate is chosen, the student begins a year-long shadow term as the student trustee-elect. The shadow term was recently added to ensure a learning period and smooth transition into the role of Student Trustee. The Elect shadows the current Student Trustee, and learns the responsibilities of the position. After the year is up, he or she becomes the Student Trustee.
Logistics aside, what does the Student Trustee actually do?
Simply put, the Student Trustee is a non-voting student member of the Board who considers the best interests of the University. The Student Trustee is not a campus representative. Campus representatives in Board Meetings are the SG President, the SBA President and the GLC President. The Student Trustee’s job is not to advocate solely for the students or faculty, but to always consider the best interest of AU as a whole.
For example, while campus representatives usually consider what AU needs in the present moment, the Student Trustee (like the Board of Trustees) must consider what is best for the university long-term -- ten, 50 or even 100 years down the road. However, the Student Trustee is often asked to provide a student perspective on key issues. I am the only student who has a voice in those meetings without being called upon, a significant responsibility.
Outside of Board meetings, the Student Trustee acts as a liaison and a translator between the Board and students. Often, when there is a divide between those two parties, the Trustee can act as the go-between and facilitate discussion. The official spokesperson for the Board is the Board Chair, currently Jack Cassell, thus I can act only as a translator of Board decisions.
Students can utilize the Student Trustee by sharing their concerns about AU so those concerns are voiced at Board Meetings. The value of this position is that students have a direct line of communication to the Board and have a student at meetings to represent their collective best interests.
I am thrilled to take on this position. My predecessor, Joe Ste.Marie, was a wonderful mentor and I am excited to pick up the torch where he left off. This year, my priority is to make myself completely available to students and faculty. I hope to meet with many of you, listen to the critical concerns and needs of AU and take action on behalf of the university in the boardroom.
I want to be fully educated and informed so I can accurately represent the university climate during meetings.
The board is committed to staying in touch with students. I have already begun some new initiatives such as creating a Facebook page, Twitter account and Student Trustee blog. Additionally, I will be holding office hours before and after each board meeting, and will be making a concerted effort to meet with groups before meetings. My key goals for this year are to ensure that all students and faculty understand why each Board decision is made and to create a clean line of communication between all parties. Please be in touch. I’d love to hear any and all thoughts about how I can best be of service to the school.
Evie Unsworth is a senior at American University in the School of Public Affairs.
She can be reached at:
Email: studenttrustee@american.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanuniversitystudenttrustee
Blog: http://austudenttrustee.blogs.american.edu/
Twitter: @americantrustee
