Committee unanimously approves Tipping bill to allow student representation on UMS Board of Trustees

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, May 24, a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono, was unanimously approved by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The bill, LD 1656, “An Act to Allow Student Representation within the Governance of the University of Maine System,” would allow students to have voting power on the University of Maine System Board of Trustees.

“I am pleased to get such strong support from committee on this important legislation,” said Sen. Tipping. “Students in the University of Maine System deserve to have a voice and a say in their education. Almost all New England public university systems already have some form of elected student representation on the board. This will give Maine students the voice they deserve.”

LD 1656 would replace the current student member of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, who is appointed by the Governor, with two students from two different schools within the University of Maine System, elected by their student bodies that are in good academic standing. These students would represent all of the different campuses in the University of Maine System, and would serve with full voting members, with the same rights as appointed members but with a two-year term. One student will be a graduate student, and the other an undergraduate.

The bill faces further votes in the Senate and House.