Student Representatives to the Board of Trustees

Student Representatives to the SMU Board of Trustees 2022-23

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of SMU, comprised of forty-one members. One student is selected each year to serve as the Student Member of the Board of Trustees (Student Trustee), a full voting member of the Board. Eight other students are also selected to serve as Student Members of the Board Standing Committees. In addition to the responsibility of serving on the Board and Committees, the Student Trustee chairs a committee of the Student Representatives and the Student Body President. This committee enhances the effectiveness of the Representatives within their committees and facilitates communication between the Board of Trustees and the university community.

QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please contact Jackson Overton, 2022-23 Student Trustee, at srbot@smu.edu.


Application Information for 2023-2024

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Open to all graduate and undergraduate students who meet the following requirements:

  • Enrolled as full-time student throughout both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years (undergraduate).
  • Not participating in a Study Abroad program during the 2023-24 school year.
  • No honor code violations or conduct sanction of "Conduct Probation" or higher.
  • Completed 36 credit hours at SMU with a 3.000 Cumulative GPA or higher (undergraduate).
  • Completed one (1) full semester at SMU with a 3.000 Cumulative GPA or higher (graduate).
  • Completed the online form (see link at the bottom of this page).
  • Provided additional documentation as requested on online form.
  • Participated in an interview with an SMU Vice President (see below).
  • Participated in an interview with the selection committee (see below).

Please note the committee descriptions below when selecting committee preferences on the application form (see link at the bottom of this page).


SELECTION PROCESS INFORMATION AND TIMELINE

Friday, February 17, 2023 - Application form link made available on this website (see below)

Scroll to the bottom of this page for the link to the application form, located on Connect.SMU - must have a Connect.SMU account to complete the application.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All applicants must be able to comply with and attend ALL of the following date and time requirements:

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - 12:00 Noon

Application and all related documentation is due - complete the application form found through the link at the bottom of this page. No late submissions will be accepted.

Friday, March 10, 2023

All candidates who are selected to move forward in the process will be notified and invited to sign up for an interview slot on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Link to the interview options will be provided in the notification.

March 20 - March 24, 2023 - Meeting with an SMU Vice President

Candidates who are selected to move forward in the process will also be notified about a required 15-20 minute meeting they have will with an SMU Vice President sometime between March 20-24, the week after Spring Break. The meeting will be related to one of their top three committee interests and will not conflict with student's class schedule. All candidates seeking to be named as Student Trustee will have a meeting with the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee during this time.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Deadline to sign up for an interview slot via the provided sign-up link.

Saturday, March 25, 2023

In-Person Interview Day. You must be available to interview on this day in order to be considered for any position. Interviews will typically last about twenty minutes.


Official 2023-24 SMU Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule

  • September 14-15, 2023
  • December 7-8, 2023
  • February 22-23, 2024
  • May 2-3, 2024

Note: Some committee meetings, like Investments, may differ in schedule from these dates.


Official 2022-23 SMU Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule

  • September 15-16, 2022
  • December 1-2, 2022
  • February 23-24, 2023
  • May 4-5, 2023

Note: Some committee meetings, like Investments, may differ in schedule from these dates.


Student Member of the SMU Board of Trustees - Student Trustee

The Student Member of the Board of Trustees (Student Trustee) serves on each of the following committees in addition to either Academic Planning, Policy, and Management or Finance.

Executive

The Executive Committee has all of the powers of the full Board between Board meetings.

Trusteeship

The Trusteeship Committee has primary oversight responsibility for the Board, insuring proper membership and involvement in the activities of the Board and its committees.

Legal and Governmental Affairs

This committee handles any issues with the government and other legal matters concerning the University.


Student Representatives to the Board of Trustees - Committee Descriptions

Academic Policy, Planning, and Management (one student):

This committee considers and makes recommendations on all changes in the faculty of SMU and advises the Board on all educational policy matters including, but not limited to, degree programs and research.

Athletics (one student):

This committee advises the Board as to the status of the intercollegiate athletics program of the University, considering the academic performance of student athletes and the overall fiscal operation of the Athletics Department. The committee reviews the University's intercollegiate athletics programs and its program for compliance with the rules and regulations of any intercollegiate athletic organizations of which the University is a member, as well as University rules and regulations.

Buildings and Grounds (one student):

This committee advises and makes recommendations to the Board in regard to policies affecting the physical plant and grounds of the University, with special emphasis on maintenance and operating costs.

Development and External Affairs (one student):

This committee advises the Board on policies related to the presentation and promotion of SMU as well as external development and fundraising. Principal areas of review include public relations and marketing plans for the recruitment of students, development and capital campaign planning, and alumni and community relations.

Finance/Audit Liaison (one student serves on both committees):

The committee on Finance reviews the revenue and expense budget prepared for the University by administration prior to the Committee submitting it to the full Board for approval. The committee reports on the status of the current year's operating budget and advises the board on major budget items. Usually meeting twice per year, the committee on Audit provides for review the audit of the books, records, and securities of the University by an unaffiliated accounting firm and presents a report of the audit to the Board. Due to federal law, this student only receives reports from the Audit committee, but is not a voting member.

Investment (one student):

This committee is empowered by the Board to make investment decisions regarding the funds and assets of the University Endowment and advises the Board on its policies relating to University investments.

Student Affairs (two students):

This committee advises the Board on policies relating to student life at the University including recreation, Greek affairs, student activities and organizations, religious life, multicultural student affairs, career planning, orientation, health and wellness, and residence life.


Centennial Student Feedback Report


The Application period for this year's selection process is now CLOSED.
Please see above for the next steps in the selection timeline.