91短视频

Michael Covenant Ratcliffe

• May 1, 2015

Michael Covenant Ratcliffe, a 91短视频 liberal studies freshman, is a finalist for a position as one of two student members of the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees. Ratcliffe, born and raised in Kauai, Hawaii, applied for the position at the end of March. He is one of five finalists.

“If there is an opportunity to impact the community and make a difference, I am going to take it,” he said. “My past trials and tribulations have allowed me to view the world through different lenses and guide my decisions to serve the public interest.

“The students of the CSU system have the voices to shape higher education and create policy in the CSU that will be beneficial to us and future generations of college students,” Ratcliffe added. “I see students working two jobs while attending class; the pregnant woman still attending college because she believes it will be worth it; and the high school senior coming for a tour, still deciding if college will be worth it. I can take their messages where they will be heard, make their journeys easier, and shape higher education.”

Ratcliffe serves on CSUEB’s ASI Legislative Affairs Committee; is secretary of the 91短视频 chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society; and works part time as a Student Ambassador, leading visitors on tours of the campus. This past year he attended the California Higher Education Student Summit in Sacramento to lobby with legislators regarding policy affecting the CSU.

The CSU Board of Trustees includes two student members who serve staggered two-year terms. The first year is spent learning about the position in a non-voting capacity; the second year of the term is spent as the voting student trustee.

The board, which meets every other month in Long Beach, is the policy-making body for the 23-campus CSU system. Student trustees have the unique opportunity to influence higher education policy for the largest public university system in the U.S.

“The Board of Trustees establishes a vision then creates policy,” Ratcliffe said. “This democracy allows the voices of everyone — students, administrators, janitors — to be heard and is the only way a system this large can function.”

The California State Student Association (CSSA) conducts the annual searches for the CSU Student Trustees, who are ultimately appointed by the governor of California. CSSA was created more than 50 years ago to ensure that students had a place in the CSU’s internal policy making. CSSA’s Board of Directors is comprised of student leaders from the 23 CSU campuses.

Recent legislation allows student trustees to have their CSU tuition waived and all pre-approved business travel is covered by the CSU. In addition, student trustees receive $100 per day per diem when on official business.

Candidates for the 2015-16 academic year are required to maintain at least part-time student status, must attain sophomore status by July 1, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and be in good standing with their university. In addition, they must submit a resume, an essay, and at least two letters of recommendation.

Ratcliffe will have an interview with all 23 CSU ASI presidents on May 1. The presidents then select two candidates, and Gov. Jerry Brown makes the final decision.