Why break precedent if you don't have to? While the trustees did miss the first all-faculty forum in eight years, it never has been typical for the trustees to show up to an internal faculty meeting.
This was an all-faculty meeting, and the trustees' attendance could have left faculty feeling as if the all-powerful board had overstepped its boundaries. However, trustees do need to make meeting with faculty and student assemblies a priority.
This board of trustees has a large decision approaching. While it's important for trustees to attend discussions and get feedback and information on the MSU College of Human Medicine's move to Grand Rapids and the liberal arts restructuring, they can do this away from the confines of campus.
It is unfair to think they will just swoop down off their powerful seats and make decisions without any regard to the greater MSU sentiments. They continually have been in contact with the faculty over the past couple of weeks and hope to take advantage of the additional forums being held later this week. At least five of the eight trustees plan on coming to Thursday's two-part forum.
It also is important to keep in mind that these trustees do lead lives that could be removed from East Lansing. Several of the board members are at least an hour's drive away, and almost all of them have careers outside of MSU. While this doesn't excuse them from being involved with the university's workings, it is a reminder that they are human.
Right now, the trustees need to try their hardest to be here and get feedback on the controversial move. The decision needs to be weighed and looked at from every angle. This is possible only through as much exposure to public opinion and feelings as possible.
Being on campus and having an approachable presence is important during decisionmaking times.
But it would be even nicer to see the trustees on campus when there is a lull from any type of controversy. This will give them the ability to watch how this educational institution works and can assist in the future decision making.
