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Student trustee to be chosen
By Kezia McKeague
Old Gold and Black Reporter

The selection process for the next student representative of the board of trustees continued March 5 with a Student Government referendum. The referendum was a student vote, allowing students to choose whom they would recommend as the next student trustee. The results are confidential.

The candidates, juniors Linda Baugher, Sean Prince, Marlena Reese and Jonathan Willingham, applied for the position last month and were chosen to appear on the ballot by the Student Life Committee.

Students gave an endorsement vote on WIN for as many as all four candidates. The referendum is intended to gauge the support for each candidate rather than single out a winner.

The board’s nominating committee will make the final decision based on the results of the referendum, recommendations from the SLC interviews and their own opinions.

According to the SG constitution, "service and stewardship" are important considerations in the selection of the student trustee. "The Nominating Committee will not be bound by the process and may nominate any student that it feels is the best nominee. This is a process rather than a mandate."

Before these rules were established in 1999, some selection authority resided with the SLC. The process was changed partly because on one occasion several years ago the board of trustees declined to accept the choice of the SLC and instead selected another candidate. Now the SLC’s role is to serve as the screening committee.

Student Government representatives sent e-mails to their constituents announcing the date of the election.

"We were working with Kevin Cox (director of media relations) to send a mass e-mail to the entire student body, but we didn’t accomplish this before the election occurred. A mass e-mail will be sent for future elections," said sophomore Michelle Gallagher, Student Government Secretary.

Publicity about the application process seemed limited, according to three of the prospective Student Trustees. Sean Prince was unavailable for comment.

"I just happened to see an application outside of the Student Government office. I’m very grateful for that because otherwise I wouldn’t have known to apply," Willingham said.

Reese had been aware of the position but was not prompted to apply until she saw an advertisement in the Old Gold & Black a few weeks ago.

Baugher said she did not know that "the position even existed before seeing the ad."

"As Student Trustee, I would attend various meetings on campus so that students know that I’m here if they have any concerns. I would try to make the position more accessible and well-known," she said.

Senior Jordan Brehove, Student Government president, sees the role of Student Trustee as "a really big job."

"The Board of Trustees is a real guiding body for the university," he said. "The Student Trustee has every bit of influence and status as any other member."

Senior Jonathan Kelly, who has been Student Trustee since his junior year, agreed, saying that a student voice brings "an invaluable perspective" to the Board.

He added, however, that the other Trustees have four-year terms, "so to some extent they have greater autonomy."

"I had a fantastic time and it was a great learning experience. I truly enjoyed it," Kelly said. "I’ve learned a lot about Wake Forest traditions that transcend generations. I’ve learned that alumni care tremendously about this university."

Kelly also discovered the challenges involved: "The greatest challenge is working toward the best interest of the university. There are lots of competing interests and constituencies."