To the Editor:
While the Corporation would likely benefit from the addition of younger members, it is precipitate to set any demographic requirements for candidates. The sole criterion for membership should be the likelihood that a candidate will contribute to the effectiveness of the Corporation. Diversity will occur naturally with such a standard. Women and other minority members became an important part of the Corporation because they had something to offer. It would be demeaning and counterproductive to mandate an "African American" position or "Female Hispanic" position — the same logic should apply to age.
I would like to propose an alternative to the ‘young alum' position on the committee. Perhaps UCS could internally elect a student to become the "Corporation Liaison." Not just anybody should be considered — the liaison must be a general body member (meaning he or she must attend two UCS meetings and collect 150 signatures). The liaison could try to coordinate more student and corporation interaction. He or she should lobby to have corporation members come to UCS meetings and for students to attend Corporation dinners; the liaison could pass along the concerns of the student body to Corporation members and foster communication and transparency in the often arcane corporation. What a sweet idea ... I don't know why we don't have a Corporation Liaison already.
Will Wray '10
April 15
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