This Thursday, the Career Center hosted a luncheon for the Board of Trustees and a select group of students. The entirety of the Colorado College Board of Trustees is on campus for one of their quarterly board meetings, which is set to take place during the last week of February. The luncheon was organized by the Career Center as a networking opportunity after consulting with CC senior and Student Trustee, Mayss Al Alami.
Elected last May, Al Alami is the fifth student trustee to serve on the board. Outside of attending board and CCSGA meetings, Al Alami serves on the President’s Council, working with President Tiefenthaler as needed. Representing and acting as the voice of the student body, Al Alami holds office hours every first and third Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. in order to stay up to date with campus activities and any concerns students may have. “The Student Trustee position is a unique one in that you have the privileges of a trustee, but simultaneously represent the student perspective,” said Al Alami.
Although largely removed from day-to-day activities on campus, according to Al Alami, the Board of Trustees—which is composed of primarily CC alumni—remains dedicated to hearing and considering student voices, depending on both President Tiefenthaler and the student trustee to ensure concerns are not lost amongst the business that fills the docket. Recent topics discussed include admission statistics, library construction, the housing crisis and new East Campus apartments, and the development and implementation of CC’s Master Plan.
“As a student trustee, it is important to speak up, and it’s nice to know that they all truly care about what I have to say,” said Al Alami. She also recognizes the need for increased communication between the student body and board members in the future. Thursday’s luncheon was just one step towards achieving a closer, more fluid relationship.
The luncheon provided students with a unique networking opportunity and allowed trustees to sit down with students in smaller groups: something that has not been done in the past. Before attending, students filled out a Career Center online survey, answering questions about their current majors, minors, and potential career paths. The students were then matched with trustees who work in their areas of interest. Each table facilitated conversation, allowing trustees and students alike to ask and answer questions. “This is something the trustees asked for, and I hope it improves the relationship between the board and student body and makes things more personal,” said Al Alami.
With student elections quickly approaching, Al Alami is preparing to transition out of her position and hand the reins over to the sixth student trustee. Moving forward, she hopes that future student trustees will continue to remain involved with the student government and improve the student body’s awareness of the student trustee’s role and influence on the board. Applications have already been submitted, and the final candidates will be interviewed and selected by the board before the student trustee debate on Feb. 28. Elections will take place at the end of Block 6, and the new student trustee will transition into their role during blocks 7 and 8.