As part of a new committee established to help MSU's governing unit hear concerns from the student body, a handful of student leaders met with MSU Trustee David Porteous on Friday at the Multicultural Center.
The committee, which has no formal name, was organized by family community services senior Misty Staunton, who also serves as the at-large student liaison to the MSU Board of Trustees.
Staunton said the group hopes to speak with one trustee every month to learn more about how the board operates and what university business was conducted at the board meeting.
"I don't want just student leaders to be able to talk to them," Staunton said, adding she hopes students will participate, regardless of their involvement with campus groups.
Staunton said she encourages students who are involved in the committee to attend the monthly board meetings. The group also meets with Sue Carter, secretary to the board and executive assistant to MSU President M. Peter McPherson, after the meetings.
Porteous said not every board member is able to regularly meet with students, because some trustees don't live near East Lansing, but he said better communication still needs to be established between the groups.
"I encourage meetings like this," Porteous said. "For me to say I understand all the issues on campus wouldn't be completely honest.
"I'm very dependent in talking with students and faculty."
The 90-minute meeting was an open forum that touched on issues such as the tuition increases, minority retention rates, budget cuts and the U.S. Supreme Court's affirmative action decision.
Education graduate student Noel Fegumps wanted to know why MSU didn't take a direct stance on the affirmative action issue.
"There are several major corporations that filed briefs," he said.
"It would have been nice in this instance to see that transparency from the Board of Trustees and administration."
Porteous said some board members wanted the university to take a stance on the issue but did not say if he was one of them.
Besides the numerous topics touched upon by the students, Porteous explained to the group the entire process of being elected as a trustee and what their responsibilities entail.
Three of Michigan's 15 public universities elect governing bodies - MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. The other institutions have their governing officials appointed by the governor.
Eight trustees each serve eight-year terms on MSU's highest governing body.
