Trustee should think of students

The current student trustee's two-year term on the IU board of trustees is coming to an end this semester, and applications for the position will be available next week.\nThe student trustee functions like any other trustee. He or she attends trustee meetings, participates in decision making and votes.\nThe outgoing student trustee, Dean Hertzler, told the IDS, "The position is what the student makes of it." We encourage the future student trustee to make the most out of it by fully representing the students.\n The trustees are charged with great responsibility -- final authority over the annual budget and construction projects, such as the expansion of the Kelley School of Business.\n All is not well at IU, especially when it comes to the treatment of students. We are not faring very well in national comparisons to other universities, and another distinguished professor leaves every year, decreasing the quality of education. \n Every year, incoming freshman find themselves crammed into over-crowded dorms. Now, Residential Programs and Services people are shutting down food service in those same dorms.\n Budget problems forced RPS to make these closings, and the nationally renowned School of Music faces similar budget problems that have caused losses among the staff, once again lessening the quality of education. \nDuring Hertzler's term, the board of trustees has come under fire for its handling of the Bob Knight firing. The University has been hit with lawsuits alleging violations of the Indiana Open Door law.\nThese lawsuits are troubling, especially as the student trustee was involved. As a representative of the students, the student trustee should feel obligated to keep them informed with his or her progress on the board, especially if there is any wrongdoing.\nThe board of trustees needs to be kept reminded of these problems confronting students, even if it means being unpopular with them. Remember, the student trustee's job is to make powerful connections to help students in their life at this University.\nThe Indiana legislature created this position during the turbulent 1970s, when this country's youth was trying to thrust a voice into the national spotlight. \nThe student trustee is the only voice for the students on the board, so be sure to use it.