Once every two years, one Ball State student is chosen to serve the university in a way that will change his or her college career in a way unlike any other college experience. Applications for the 2009-10 Student Member of the Board of Trustees can now be picked up at the SGA office or Office of Student Life in the Student Center, and are due back in the Office of Student Life by Feb. 13.
Each student trustee serves the same two-year time commitment on the board, but each student will have unique experiences that vaguely resemble those of previous student trustees. I jumped into my position head first and attended my first closed meeting after brief conversations with President Jo Ann Gora, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and Ball State's attorney, who briefed me on confidentiality. Each year Ball State will evolve and change, but the Board of Trustees is a constant group of nine members that works to ensure the best for everyone involved with Ball State.
The Ball State board is proud to be a group of nine equal members who do not represent special causes, interests or personal agendas. The student trustee does not serve as an activist for student rights, but rather appropriately offers the student perspective and votes in the best interest for the university, which is in turn best for the students.
Each trustee is ultimately appointed by the governor of Indiana. The board's goal is to ensure the university is spending money responsibly and in accordance with the university's mission and goals. The board is also responsible for selecting a president for the university, and when we have an excellent president, like we do with President Gora, the board strives to support her in every way it can.
My favorite part about being the student trustee has been helping with the BOLD campaign. I applied to be the student trustee because I wanted to give something back to a university, which in just one year gave me more opportunities, chances and tools to succeed than I ever deserved. I hope that the next student trustee will also assist, alongside the other outstanding board members, in helping make Ball State a better university tomorrow than it is today. With state appropriations being cut, it is now more important than ever before to have board members who are willing to help be fundraisers and advocates for the university.
For a listing of the board's primary duties visit http://cms.bsu.edu/About/AdministrativeOffices/President/Administration/BoardofTrustees.aspx
Also, if anyone would like more information about being a student trustee, I would love to talk! My e-mail is kaconrad@bsu.edu. If you e-mail me, I will give you my cell phone number.
Kellie Conrad is a Ball State student trustee and wrote this guest column for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
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