Vermont Business Magazine Faculty and staff members from Vermont’s public higher education institutions delivered petitions and testified in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, asking lawmakers to require representation by these groups on the University of Vermont and Vermont State Colleges boards of trustees. The bill, S.248, would also add additional students to the boards and impose two-term limits on both boards. Over 26 percent of public universities in 13 states have faculty representation on their board.
A delegation from the unions delivered a petition with hundreds of signatures to the Governor, legislative leadership, and the Education Committees on Wednesday, and several people testified on the bill in the Senate Education Committee.
Professor Eleanor Miller, President of United Academics, explained the impetus behind the bill, saying, “Decisions made by the boards of trustees matter. Decisions made by the Board directly affect the quality of life for students and employees alike, and making the best decisions possible requires representation from key members of the UVM community, faculty and staff. This bill aims to democratize the Boards of Trustees for our public institutions of higher education.”
Linda Olson, VP for Higher Education for AFT Vermont and faculty at Castleton University added, “Vermont’s future workforce and economy depends on the viability of the state’s public higher education system. As such, these institutions must be financially stable and affordable for students, and they must be governed by a diverse and representative Board of Trustees.”
Abby Cohn, a professor at Cornell, and an elected member of the Cornell Board of Trustees testified that the Cornell University Board has elected faculty, staff and student trustees. “Once we are elected, we are first and foremost members of the board, just like other board members, whether appointed or elected. We function as full voting members of the board with the fiduciary responsibility to represent the best interests of Cornell as an institution. The most important role we play, I believe, is to have a voice at the table and to be ears in the room.”
Steve Howard, Executive Director of the Vermont State Employees (VSEA), quoted Governor Kunin in his testimony, “If you’re not at the table, then you’re on the menu.”
The committee discussed the bill and possible routes forward given that this is the second year of the biennium and crossover is approaching. The General Assembly is scheduled to vote on the legislatively elected board members for the Vermont State Colleges on Thursday.
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Source: AFT Vermont. Montpelier 2.17.2022
