BOG searching for full-time student member

11/29/07 - A unique opportunity is up for grabs for one Rhode Island resident. The Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education is looking for one University of Rhode Island student to sit on its governing panel.The board, an 11-member panel of volunteers, includes public figures and, by state law, one student from Rhode Island who is enrolled full time at a state institution. The student seat rotates every two years among Rhode Island College, the Community College of Rhode Island or, as in next year's case, URI.

The last time a URI student sat on the board was in 2003. Andrea Hopkins, URI's vice president of public affairs, said the student, a Continuing College of Education student, was untraditional.

"She had children in college, her son was at the Kingston campus," Hopkins said. "Yet she was a very vocal representative of all kinds of students, and that was what we wanted on the Board of Governors - a student's perspective."

Hopkins added that the position is a unique opportunity because the student will represent all three institutions.

The current student board member, Sarah Courtmanche, is from RIC. Her term will expire Jan. 31, 2008. A URI student who plans to spend at least two more years as a full-time student will take over the position and continue to serve until Jan. 31, 2010.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to practice leadership and public speaking," Hopkins said.

The board makes decisions and sets policies on everything from tuition, adding and removing majors and degree-granting programs, and new construction projects.

Hopkins said the position is not one to be taken lightly. "There's definitely a time commitment," she said.

Aside from regular board meetings, which occur about every six weeks, the student will sit on a committee, which requires attendance at additional meetings that vary in frequencies. On top of that, students must keep up with the reading the position requires and conduct research as well.

"You don't just go to one meeting a month," Hopkins said. "After all, what's higher education for? The students are the ones who are here now."

The position requires participation and input in discussions concerning outcome assessment and approval of budgets, which Hopkins said is a good way to gain experience in policy-making.

"We'd like to have someone with public speaking skills," Hopkins said.

In addition, the student should have past leadership experience and must be in good academic standing.

But it's not all work and no play. As for the perks of the position, the student is invited to functions at all three schools, including athletic events and commencement. The student will also have opportunities to visit RIC and CCRI.

Interested students must first submit a letter of interest and a resume to the Office of the President in Green Hall. The submissions are then reviewed by a screening committee, which consists of university officials including Vice President of Student Affairs Thomas Dougan, a member of faculty senate and a member of Student Senate.

After the committee has narrowed down the candidates, the letters are forwarded to President Robert L. Carothers, who then makes a recommendation to the board. The student appears in front of the R.I. Senate and the final decisions rests with the governor.

Students from all URI campuses are welcome to apply.

"We're trying to reach as many students as we can," Hopkins said.

Notices of the upcoming vacancy were placed in student mailboxes and forwarded through assorted ListServe enrollees. In addition, fliers were posted in various campus buildings.

If interested, students should submit a letter of interest by Dec. 7. Faculty and staff are also able to nominate qualified students.

For more information visit http://www.ribghe.org.