Ten days ago, we were elected. Right away, we were confronted with the question of how to choose the two students for the newly-announced trustee steering committee. So we pondered. Should the campus elect both? Should the Assembly choose both? What process is the most fair, assures the best balance, and involves the most number of students possible in decision-making? We had a lot of options before us, a lot of people to talk to and a lot of thinking to do. Now we've come to a conclusion.
Our decision is to have the campus choose one by election and have the Assembly choose one by a special process.
Why elect one? Because students are responsible enough to select someone to represent them. Because a responsible vote strengthens the argument for direct student voting for trustees. Because a campus-wide election will allow all students to think about and discuss what kind of person they want to represent them.
So then why choose one? Because not every strong candidate would be comfortable in an election. Because it is valuable to have a balance in how students are chosen. Because especially now, it is critical for the Assembly to be a representative body that can participate in important decisions like this.
Wednesday, May 12. That's the deadline given to us yesterday by President Wright to pick our two students. May 12 is less than two weeks away, so a lot is going to be happening very quickly. Please keep your eyes open these next couple of weeks: monitor the Assembly BlitzMail bulletin, and read the blitzes the SA sends to you.
Elections -- You all got the blitz this morning from the Assembly. If you're interested in running, then nominate yourself. All people who accept nominations will be sent a few questions that will serve as candidate statements. There will be a candidates fair on May 9, and elections will be held on May 10.
Appointment -- The new Assembly will have a group of eight people that chooses the student to be on the Trustee committee. Four of those eight will be on the new MIAC (Membership and Internal Affairs Committee) that will be chosen in the new Assembly's first organizational meeting this Sunday. The other four will be chosen by the new Assembly in its second organizational meeting, the following Sunday. Margaret, as vice-president and chair of the selection committee, will be the tie-breaking vote.
So how can you participate? You can run for elections. You can apply to be selected by the SA. You can join the new SA, so you can be on the SA selection committee. You can join the new SA, so you can pick the people that will be on the SA selection committee. You can vote in elections. There's a lot of different levels of involvement possible here.
The Trustee steering committee has a powerful charge. It is the final filter. It makes the final recommendations to the trustees on what changes should be made to our school. It's important that we have strong students that are able to clearly represent student views to other members of the trustee steering committee. If you think you are qualified, then we hope you run for election, apply to the SA, or even do both.
This is the process, May 12 is the day. The next two weeks are going to be a rush, but we hope you can participate. It's a monumental responsibility that we've all been given, and it can't be done without you.
