It is interesting that the Republican and Democratic Michigan Conventions this weekend both have floor fights over their slate of candidates this Fall for the U of M and MSU Boards. What a joke. The leadership of both parties ought to have positions that say they want to eliminate the constitutional provision that calls for the election of the Boards for U of M, MSU and Wayne State. All the other 10 state universities have boards appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the State Senate.
With appointed boards there is more transparency in the process and candidates. Governors can do a better job of analyzing what each universityt board needs in an individual trustee and what is the proper balance in skill sets for the entire boards. A governor can also make sure that a board is not held captive by special interest groups like alumni organizations, business or labor groups, etc., etc.. Interesting to note that the three universities with elected boards have almost exclusively their alumni on their boards and that is not appropriate for many, many different reasons. Often these elected board members bring their partisan political views and bosses to the board deliberations which is usually harmful to the university and inappropriate.
Now it is true that sometimes the appointive process does not work well. Goodness knows that sometimes we see an occasional appointee who has been convicted of drunk driving, ethical lapses or is just a partisan hack, but by and large over the long term the universities get a higher quality, more effective board members in the Michigan appointive process. Some governors pay more attention to the appointment process and screening than others, but again, by and large over the past 50 plus years we have been doing the appointive system we have in Michigan we have gotten a higher quality board members who brings more effective governance to our state's wonderful universities .
Time for the candidates for Governor, State Senate and House to show some real leadership and work toward reforming the elected trustee process--they should lead the effort to build a constituency for amending our constitution. That is what leadership is really about--leading, taking risks and doing what is right for everyone, not just a select few.
While they are at it they should amend the constitution that allows our State Supreme Court to go thru the same political convention nomination and election. More on that later.