STUDENT CURATOR APPROACHES END OF TERM

UM-St. Louis next on list to choose representative to board

by Bill Rolfes

As the student representative to the University of Missouri Board of Curators nears the end of his two-year term, the students of UM-St. Louis are beginning the process of selecting his successor.

Troy Nash, the student curator, will complete his term Dec. 31, 1997. Nash graduated from law school at UM-Kansas City in the spring and is working toward a doctorate.

Curator Mary Gillespie said Nash does not have a vote, but he is allowed to speak on issues that come up.

"On a regular basis, he has commented on important issues," Gillespie said. "And I think he has made a good representation of the students' views."

Nash is the true student voice for the UM system; he represents all 55,000 students, said Bob Fritchey, former president of the UM-St. Louis Student Government Association.

"His (Nash's) job is to continually remind the curators of the interests and needs of the students," Fritchey said.

Nash meets and discusses issues with members of the Intercampus Student Council, which was re-established July 12, 1997, and brings ideas and information to the Board of Curators.

UM-Columbia Student Association President Adam Brown said "things have gone generally well" with Nash as the student curator but that it is difficult to say exactly what Nash has accomplished.

"He deals with a lot of intangibles," Brown said. "There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that we don't see. We only see the tangibles, so it's hard to say exactly what he has or hasn't done."

Nash has managed to gain the respect of the other nine curators, Brown said.

"He has established a wonderful relationship with the other curators, and they all respect him," Brown said.

"I've heard nothing but good things about him. He has helped us in the legislature. It's helpful having someone so well respected by the curators."

However, Brown added that because the student curator does not have a vote, Nash had limitations and was "mildly successful."

"It's not really his fault," Brown explained. "He has no vote, and without a vote there's not a lot he can do."

UM-Kansas City chose Nash about two years ago to represent the entire student body of the UM system.

Each campus in the system gets a chance to select a student curator every eight years.

This year UM-St. Louis will choose the student curator, who will take over the position Jan. 1, 1998.

Coming Next week:
Meet the students who have announced their candidacy and those who might run for the top student post in the UM system.