Those views include opposing limits on the consumption of alcohol on campus, disputing moving MSU's College of Human Medicine to Grand Rapids and supporting affirmative action, he said.

Burgis also said the trustees are part of a democratically selected body and should be responsible to the voters who appointed them - a concept he said is violated when members hold closed meetings. If elected, he will do his best to make sure all board meetings are open to the public, he said.

"In general, the university needs to be held accountable to the students, staff and the public," Burgis said. "The constituents could and should have more say in all the board's decisions."

As a graduate teaching assistant at Western Michigan, Burgis said he is particularly familiar with the perspective of college-age students - an outlook he will bring with him into the board room.

Burgis is part of a growing number of young people under the age of 30 who are throwing their hats into the political ring, said Brian McGrain, project manager of MSU's Tomorrow's Political Leaders Program.

Most of those young candidates hope appealing to the youth vote will help them win their seats, but most of the time the strategy doesn't work, McGrain said.

"Young candidates can bring a new energy and outlook to the office. Younger voters do look at these candidates and see a resemblance to themselves, and feel the candidates are more concerned about issues that affect them," McGrain said. "But a lot of the time those young people just don't come out to vote."

But Trustee Dee Cook said the students' perspective is already taken into account by the board, and having a WMU student on the board could be a detriment to MSU.

"I would certainly like all trustees to be graduates of our institution because I think it is an advantage when you approach policy decisions that affect your alma mater," said Cook, adding that MSU alumni feel particularly close to any decision made.

Nevertheless, Burgis, who said he spends his free time "drinking too much" and watching "bad horror movies like 'A Nightmare On Elm Street,'" said he is ready to sit down at the same table as board members with an average age of about 60.

"I have taken classes here and have been politically active in many campus-based groups," Burgis said. "I'm committed, and I hope people vote for me regardless of age."

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Platforms

Tailgating: MSU students are adults who can make their own decisions and the university has no business telling them how to use alcohol.

Medical school move: Most of the public is opposed to moving the school. The board should keep the school where it is.

Tuition increase: Tuition is controlled not only by the board, but the state. The university should lobby the state for as much money as possible, but tuition increases should consistently be held to the rate of inflation.

Rights of LBGT students: Actively supported their rights by working LBGT groups since high school. Would implement any policies they came up with.

Selection process for new president: Any serious research university doesn't select the new president by looking down the hall of the Administration Building. A nation-wide search should have been conducted.

Priorities for new provost: Open the lines of communication between administration officials and students, faculty and the community.

Student and faculty involvement in decisions: As a democratically elected body, the board should be accountable to the public, the staff and the students by giving them more of a voice.

College reorganization: Suspicious of the plan because the lines of communication aren't open enough for faculty to be involved.

Source: Ben Burgis