CHICAGO — The student trustee from the Urbana campus will hold the official vote at Board of Trustees meetings.
Gov. Pat Quinn earlier this month awarded Mike Cunningham, a senior studying economics and political science, the official vote after the three student representatives wrote to him about why they should hold the vote.
But the three student trustees, one from each campus, generally voice their opinions in unity.
Before Wednesday’s retreat and Thursday’s regular meeting, Cunningham said he had the chance to speak with the other student board members, making time to go through the items they and the regular board members will be voting on.
Student trustees were officially instilled during the morning session. Cunningham will serve on two committees: the Audit, Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee and the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.
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Cunningham edged out Brian Siegel, senior in Media and former Illini Media employee, in the student trustee race this past spring by fewer than 200 votes.
Daniel Soso in 2010-11 was the last Urbana student who held the official vote.
Students have served on the board since 1973, and one has had voting power each year since 1998.
Darshan can be reached at [email protected] and @drshnpatel.
