Last modified: Wednesday, October 20, 2004
IU seeking applicants for student trustee
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A unique leadership opportunity opens to all full-time IU students on Oct. 25, when applications for the student position on the Board of Trustees become available.
Applications are available online at https://www.indiana.edu/~trustees and in the following offices and locations on each campus:
- IU Bloomington: IUSA (IMU 387); Board of Trustees (IMU M005); Dean of Students (Franklin 108); Chancellor Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis (Bryan Hall 100).
- IUPUI: Campus and Community Life (University College 002); Graduate School (Union Building 518); Undergraduate Student Government Office (UC 137); Housing and Residence Life (BR 107); Chancellor Charles Bantz (AO 104).
- IU East: Campus Life; campus switchboard; Chancellor David Fulton (all Whitewater Hall).
- IU Kokomo: Student Activities (Kelley Center 210); Chancellor Ruth Person (Main Building 127).
- IU Northwest: Student Life (Savannah 217); Vice Chancellor for Student Services (Savannah 226); Chancellor Bruce Bergland (Library 107).
- IU South Bend: Athletics and Recreation (SAC 130); Chancellor Mae Reck (Administration 250).
- IU Southeast: Campus Activities (University Center 101); Student Affairs (Library 155); Chancellor Sandra Patterson-Randles (Library 156).
- IPFW: Chancellor Michael Wartell (Kettler Hall 166).
Applications are due Jan. 28, 2005, at 5 p.m.
IU has had a student trustee for more than a quarter of a century. The first student trustee, Leslie C. Shively, was sworn in on Jan. 1, 1976. The current office holder, Erin Haag Breese, an M.D./Ph.D. candidate in the School of Medicine, is the 15th student to hold the position.
Breese, whose term expires June 30, said her tenure on the board has given her a number of "incredible opportunities."
"I always felt that my ideas and opinions were heard and respected," she said, "and I have gained great insight into the academic world. As I have met students and alumni across the state, and heard about the role IU has played in their lives, I've come to fully appreciate the value this university brings to the state of Indiana."
She added, "I have had the opportunity of working with several remarkable people who have shown me what it is to be a strong leader, and I have witnessed the love and dedication that has gone into making this university a strong and successful institution."
Frederick F. Eichhorn Jr., president of the board, urged students to apply, saying the position provides an opportunity to have a voice in shaping IU's future while mastering skills that translate far beyond academia.
"Governing an institution of the size and scope of Indiana University is an enormous challenge. The lessons that you will learn and practice -- how to listen to others' views, how to analyze data and how to make the tough decisions that every leader must make -- will serve you in good stead forever," Eichhorn said.
Eichhorn noted that the student trustee is a fully vested member of the board with all rights, responsibilities and privileges accorded to all trustees. He or she is expected to participate in nine board meetings a year, serve on board committees, take part in various university functions and ceremonies, and complete any assigned projects.
The only difference between the student trustee and all other trustees is the length of term: student trustees serve two years, while all others serve three.
Any IU student enrolled at any of IU's eight campuses may apply. The student trustee must be a full-time student for the duration of the appointment. He or she may be an undergraduate or graduate student.
The term of office begins July 1, 2005. Applications for the student position will be reviewed by the 2005 IU Student Trustee Search and Screen Committee, which is appointed by the president of the university and is entirely composed of student representatives from IU's campuses.
The committee will interview selected finalists on April 8 and 9 in Indianapolis. According to state law, the committee must forward 10 names to the governor, who usually makes the final selection by June 30.
The Board of Trustees is Indiana University's governing board, its legal owner and final authority. The board holds the university's financial, physical, and human assets and operations in trust for future generations. The board was created in 1820. Today it has nine members, six appointed by the governor and three elected by alumni.
