ASUO President Nilda Brooklyn confirmed Wednesday she will apply in May for one of two student member spots on the State Board of Higher Education.
“I see this as a way for students to be in on the process as decisions are made,” she said. “I think that’s an important step. In ASUO, we try to work proactively with the Oregon University System, but it tends to be a reaction to a decision they’ve made.”
Brooklyn is seeking the State Board student seat held by University political science senior Tim Young, which will become available when his term expires in June 2002. Erin Watari, a Southern Oregon University senior, holds the other seat until June 2003.
Watari said Young hopes to return to the board but must vie with Brooklyn and possibly others.
“Tim Young wants to get reappointed by the governor,” she said.
Young was unavailable for comment as of press time.
Brooklyn, elected student body president in April 2001, said she also will help establish a pool of applicants — including herself — to represent students on the State Board, which governs the seven public universities in the OUS.
Diane Vines, OUS vice chancellor for corporate and public affairs, said a student member of the State Board must balance a deep caring for the campus he or she came from with the needs of the whole system.
“Students often are torn between being a (campus) representative and a representative of the whole state,” Vines said. “The transition is always an interesting one to watch.”
Brooklyn said a candidate should possess a certain breadth of experience in student government, and she’s encouraging everyone interested to apply.
As ASUO president, Brooklyn has supported and participated in an effort to improve campus lighting along high-traffic corridors. She and ASUO Vice President Joy Nair designed a “Doin’ it in the Dark” campaign to encourage students to reduce energy consumption and thereby help eliminate the University-imposed energy fee. She has served in ASUO for three years, two as part of the Diversity Team and as ASUO multicultural advocate.
“She’s definitely down to earth and has a good sense of humor,” Nair said. “When things get too serious, we can make jokes. And when she makes decisions, she always makes sure she gets input from several people who are diverse in their ideas. She represents the whole student body.”
Brooklyn commended Young and Watari for their efforts to safeguard higher education during their tenure as board members. But she said now is a good time for a “reassessment” of what a student board member can do and who would best carry out those goals.
“I don’t want to step into the role because I think things need to be different,” Brooklyn said. “I think with what’s going on special session-wise, we need to revamp and rejuvenate how we think about higher education.”