Student applications for IU Board of Trustee position available today

The IU Board of Trustees is looking for a leader to fill the ranks of student trustee.

Applications are available starting today, and the position provides a unique opportunity to think about issues facing the University great leadership experience, said Robin Roy Gress, secretary of the Board of Trustees.

But, she said, it’s a very serious, time-consuming job.

The student has the same responsibilities as the other eight trustees. The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the University, as well as its legal owner.

Gress said all IU students who currently study full-time students and plan to for the next two years are eligible to apply – even undergraduates and international students. The term lasts two years.

Current trustee, senior A.D. King, said a good candidate can listen and ask penetrating questions. He said it’s different than listening in class – the trustees have to deal with issues ranging from adopting the budget to reviewing tenure for professors.

“You can’t fall asleep in the back row at a trustee meeting,” he said.

The student position is required because of a state law, Gress said. King said student trustees add the element of a student voice because the other board members are more removed from the student body.

King said much of the day-to-day duties consist of e-mailing and talking to students.  
A search-and-screen committee reviews the applications and sends 10 of them to the governor, who then chooses the trustee, Gress said.

The student body presidents from all eight campuses are invited to be on the committee, or they can send representatives, Gress said. The two graduate student body presidents from Bloomington and IU-Purdue University Indianapolis are also invited. A representative from the governor’s office usually comes later in the process.

IU Student Association president and senior Luke Fields said he plans to be on the committee. He said he’s looking for someone who can see the big picture of all eight campuses of the University.

He’s also looking for someone with passion – someone who is really involved with the University.

“There’s a difference between passion and interest,” he said.

About 30 to 40 students usually apply each time, Gress said. Applications can be found at www.indiana.edu/~trustees and in rooms 387 and M005 in the Indiana Memorial Union. The deadline is Jan. 23.

“I really urge students to apply even if they’re remotely interested,” Gress said.