Law student accepts responsibilities as new student trustee

Before casting her first vote as IU’s student trustee, law student Abbey Stemler took an oath to act in the best interests of the University.

“I’m not here to advance my personal prerogative,” Stemler said. “I have a responsibility to the state and to IU.”

As the new academic year begins, she will step into her role as the University’s 18th student trustee with excitement, curiosity and passion.

The board of trustees

The student trustee is one of the nine members of the board of trustees, which sets University policy and is responsible for approving tuition, fees and building projects, hiring staff and other major decisions.

In accordance with Indiana state law, six of the positions are appointed by the Governor’s office and three of the positions are filled by alumni votes.  

The position of student trustee was added to the board in 1976 after strong student demand for the position, Robin Gress, secretary to the board, said.

Student trustees have the same rights and responsibilities as other trustees, but they are limited to a two-year term as opposed to the traditional three-year term.

“We’re all looked at the same, but I bring the unique perspective of being a recent undergraduate to the board,” Stemler said.

She said she worked on her application, which required six essays and three letters of recommendation, during her first year at the Maurer School of Law.

The only formal requirement to be considered for the student trustee position is the
applicant must be a full-time student.

Gress said more graduate and law students tend to apply, but applicants with varying educational backgrounds have hailed from all eight of the University’s campuses.

Gress said 20 students applied for the student trustee position, and 18 of the applicants were interviewed by a panel of student body presidents and active students from all of IU’s campuses.

The panel recommended ten applicants to the Governor’s office, and Stemler was chosen after another round of interviews.

A balancing act

The beginning of the new semester will force Stemler to balance her time between trustee duties and a rigorous academic schedule as a second year law student.

Stemler has had plenty of time to hone her ability to balance academics and extracurriculars.

She finished her undergraduate work in 2008 with degrees in the Individualized Major Program, LAMP and psychology.

She was also president of the LAMP advisory board, and co-founded the Virtu Project, an original social entrepreneurship project.

As a law student, Stemler is involved in the Women’s Law Caucus and also served on the Faculty Selection Committee for new professors.

Gress has worked with the last several student trustees. She said the best student trustees are able to balance an outstanding academic record with their board responsibilities using well-developed study habits and effective communication skills.

“It’s a terrific opportunity, but it requires a student that can juggle their time effectively,” she said.

Gress said student trustees have the unique perspective of being an IU student
themselves.  

“Many student trustees see themselves as guardians of the University,” Gress said.
Making the position her own

The time commitment for the position of student trustee is 10 to 20 hours per week, not including the scheduled meetings and ceremonies, Stemler said.

She has spent the time between the last two board meetings educating herself so she can make informed decisions.

“I’m not one to passively OK something without understanding the ramifications,” she said.

The most important issue Stemler expects this year is IU to get costs under control without cutting from student services.

She said with her first vote on increasing tuition, she tried to make sure the amount was necessary and that students would still be able to receive enough financial aid to pay for their educations.

“My championing cause will be to remember how these decisions affect the every day life of students,” she said.

Stemler said one of her main goals is to make herself accessible. She plans to meet with campus leaders across the state before every board meeting, and she will use the Internet to provide a platform for students to contact her.

Stemler said her passion for IU came from her involvement beyond the classroom, and she urged other students to make the most of their time at IU.

“The more you know about this school,” Stemler said, “the more you can be a part of it.”