Next 'student curator' to hail from Columbia

By Sarah Christiansen, Senior Staff Writer

Published Feb. 27, 2007

The search is on for the next student who will give a voice to his or her peers in the UM system.

The Missouri Students Association is accepting applications for students interested in becoming the next student representative to the UM system Board of Curators.

The student representative serves a two-year term, and the position rotates from one campus to the next each term. The UM system is comprised of UM-Rolla, UM-Kansas City, UM-St. Louis and MU.

This term, the student representative will come from MU.

Student representative Maria Kerford, from UMSL, will be replaced by the next choice.

"The student representative has a seat at the table as the curators are discussing the diverse issues facing our institution," UM system spokesman Scott Charton said.

Although the student representative is allowed in closed meetings, he or she does not have a vote. Two congruent bills in the Missouri General Assembly are proposing to give the student a vote.

Kerford said her position's greatest challenge is not having a vote.

"There have been a couple of times when (the board members) definitely have not listened to me, and you just kind of have to go with it and really not allow those moments of disappointment hinder you from what your goal is," she said.

Kerford said being a student gives her a different perspective than the rest of the curators.

Kerford will be at a reception at 5 p.m. March 16 in Memorial Union, where she will discuss her position and respond to any questions or concerns raised by potential candidates.

MSA President Rachel Anderson said there has been a lot of interest so far.

"I've had a lot of people contact me," Anderson said. "I printed 50 applications, and they're all gone."

Anderson said the UMSL Student Government Association had about 15 applicants when it took applications two years ago.

Kerford said she decided to apply to be the student representative because of the unique opportunities it presented, as well as her involvement on UMSL's campus.

"I felt like I would have an impact on a Missouri-wide level," she said.

Kerford said some qualities that make a good student representative include leadership skills and maturity.

"If you're comfortable talking with faculty, it's probably a good indicator that you'll be comfortable talking with non-students," she said. "Sometimes you're the only student there, so you have to be able to converse and make friendships with people who are a little bit older."

Kerford said having a sense of "internal security" is important for a student representative who might be representing the minority opinion at times.

She said the time commitment of her position varies from week to week.

Kerford estimated that she spends as much as 20 to 30 hours per week when there's a board meeting and between five and eight hours per week when there's not.

In addition to participating in board activities, she also is invited to speak at various functions and classes.

"You can easily fill up your schedule. But as far as what you must do, it varies," Kerford said.

MSA is accepting applications through April 4.

Anderson said the Intercampus Student Council will review the applications on April 6 in conjunction with the board meeting at UMR. ISC is a council comprised of student presidents from each of the four campuses.

On April 27 and 28 selected students will be interviewed and in early May the search will be narrowed to three candidates, one of whom will be appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt to serve the term.