Today students have the chance to discuss campus issues directly with Young Alumni Trustees and other members of the Board of Trust.

About 15 board members plan to attend the annual forum, more than in previous years.

According to Heather Souder, a 2004 graduate and YAT, forum topics may include the future of Kissam Quad, main campus housing upgrades, the progress of the College Halls Initiative, course registration, VUwebmail and textbook prices.

Souder suggested any students interested in campus life attend.

"The (Board of Trust) has oversight over the governance of the university and
makes decisions that impact student life," Souder said. "Therefore, input from the student body is extremely important. The forum is really an informal discussion with any interested students on topics that matter most to them."
According to Courtney Salters, director of student governance for student campus events, the forum participation varies depending on issues on campus
at the time of its execution.

"This year's forum will be held in a more central location: the Board of Trust room (in) the Student Life Center," Salters said. "It has been scheduled to better accommodate both students and the board."

The board worked with Vanderbilt Student Government to host the forum.
Previous years' discussions have included issues such as parking, dining and course registration, as well as weightier issues such as the implementation of the career center, living wage, restructuring the athletic department and changing the format of the award-selection process of Homecoming.

The forum coincides with a full board meeting, which will have sessions Wednesday through Friday.

And YATs will present a report on the forum to the entire board.

YATs are selected in their senior year through a nomination and voting process. Students in the junior and senior class have the opportunity to vote for the trustee, who is then recommended to the board by the Alumni Association committee.

Trustee and 2006 graduate Alice Ji said she thinks the forum especially concerns those who need to voice a concern or bring up questions and suggestions.

"This is the one chance students have this semester to ask any question of a Vanderbilt University trustee directly," Ji said.