On Saturday, the Hopkins Board of Trustees announced that senior Sam Lichtenstein was appointed as the newest Young Trustee. He will be replacing Sarah David (Class of 2007), who served a four-year term as a representative of the student body on the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees began including a candidate chosen from the student body in 1971 as part of an ongoing effort to make the board more responsive to the needs of students in the university. Since then, one graduating senior has been chosen every year to serve on the board for four-year terms.
Jerry Schnydman, secretary of the board emphasized their status as full members of the Board of Trustees.
“They are a member of the Board of Trustees, are members of committees and participate in all the discussions of the Board of Trustees.”
Sam Lichtenstein, political science major, was chosen among a pool of twelve applicants, an all-time low. The numbers were then whittled down to five by the trustees and nominating committee of the board. The committee then interviewed those five students and chose Lichtenstein to be the new representative of the student body.
Schnydman said he was particularly impressed by Lichtenstein’s interest in matters relating to the governance of the university.
“The trustees are looking for people who would fit in on the board, who would be interested in the things that govern the institutions, not unlike what we’re looking for in regular trustees.” he said.
“Though there were a lot of good candidates, we felt he was particularly suited to this role.”
Lichtenstein is also the first young trustee selected after the recent overhaul of the board that resulted in halving its size.
Lichtenstein feels that the new size will allow the board to conduct its business more effectively.
“The impact of the board will definitely increase,” he said.
“We’ll have more of an ability to get things done.”
Lichtenstein said that he felt honored by the board’s choice. “It was very humbling. You’re in a room surrounded by presidents and CEOs and other important people. To be selected to provide the student voice [is quite an honor],” he said.
Lichtenstein said that he felt that being a member of the board would a great way to give back to the university that taught him so much. He also talked about his involvement at Hopkins.
“Over the past few years I’ve been involved a lot in the school and this is the best way I could think of to continue that involvement.”
The Board of Trustees discusses various big picture issues critical to the long-term success of the university.
While the Deans and the President decide matters pertaining to the day-to-day functioning, the board mediates on long-term planning and direction.
Schnydman described the various committees that make up the board, saying that trustees discuss issues relevant to the governance of the university.
“For instance, there is an investment committee, a finance committee, audit committee and a buildings and grounds committee that decides on the approval of new buildings,” he said.
Each of those committees plays a pivotal role in deciding matters regarding their area.
Lichtenstein said his main focus during his term would be on improving financial assistance, an issue that he focused on during his interview process. He is also looking forward to building cohesiveness among the disparate parts of the university.
“One of my regrets is not having taken advantage of all the resources the various divisions of the university has to offer,” he said. “We forget that we have other world-beating institutions within our university and I’d like to give the opportunity, whether in classes, research or other activities.”
He added that such cross-divisional relationships would further enhance the student experience at the university.
Another area the board would focus on was matters regarding student life. Abhiram Bhashyam (Class of 2010), the young trustee selected last year, said he was involved in the Committee on Student Life. While declining to comment on specifics, he emphasized on the efforts of the board to be more responsive to the needs of the student body.
“In addition to the young trustees, we often invited students to come speak with us and give us their input,” Bhashyam said.
