Bill to change student BOG member appointment comes to a compromise

A bill that would change the selection process of the student member of the Board of Governors passed through another committee Monday morning, with a compromise.                                         

The problem with the existing system, said supporters of the bill, was that the group currently charged with that task has traditionally charged dues. That was the idea behind proposed constitutional amendments filed in the House and Senate to make that member a gubernatorial appointment.                                         

But giving that responsibility to the governor, said the other side, would not be right either. Students should be able to elect their own representative, much like faculty do for their seat on the BOG. The Florida Student Association, an advocacy group made up of student body presidents from the state university system, currently facilitates that.

On Monday, senators approved a compromise.

SB 1508, sponsored by Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, was approved by the Senate's Judiciary Committee with an amendment filed by Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, that would remove the FSA requirement and instead allow student body presidents to choose among themselves.