YCC pushes for rep at Corporation meetings

In a move to give Yale students increased representation, Yale College Council (YCC) President Zach Kaufman, SY '00, presented a proposal to the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA) Board of Governors on Tues., Feb. 2 aimed
at increasing student influence in the Yale Corporation.

The proposal seeks to make the YCC president--currently an ex officio member of the Board of Governors--a member of the Committee for the Nomination of Alumni Fellows to the Yale Corporation. The body appoints six alumni to six-year corporation terms.

"[The seat] would give students an opportunity to interact with the group that determines much of the policy affecting our lives as Yalies," Kaufman said.

If the committee approves the proposal, it will be brought before the entire Board of Governors in April. Granting the YCC president membership in the nominations committee would require a change in the constitution of the Board of Governors. The board would then vote on the issue in April, and, if passed, the change would go into effect next year.

As it considers the proposal, the committee will receive input from various University officials. University President Richard Levin, GRD '74, said he has always favored interaction between undergraduates and members of the Yale Corporation. "The Administration periodically has had members of the Corporation meet with the YCC and Graduate Student Senate and tried to get them exposed to lots of different people."

However, Levin believes too much interaction between students and Corporation members would taint the Corporation's objective attitude. "We pick important outsiders to be stewards," he said. "They are valuable precisely because they are not participating in the process or have a direct interest."

Former YCC President Tyson Belanger, ES '98, agreed. "Students have the view from the ground. This could complement the vision the Board of Governors might already have."

Back to News...