The Academic Programs and Student Life committee of the Board of Trust heard updates from members of the campus community Thursday in the Student Life Center.

Faculty Senate Chair Bruce Barry gave a short address after a greeting from Interim Chancellor Nick Zeppos. Barry said, among other things, the Faculty Senate has been focused on environmental issues lately.

A main topic of conversation, though, was Vanderbilt Visions and by extension, The Commons.

Young Alumni Trustee Alice Ji said that the board was "generally concerned that sophomores get the best experience" after their year on The Commons.

Members of the VUcept executive board spoke about the positive and negative aspects of the program and cited several changes made this year that have benefited the program.

Dean of The Commons Frank Wcislo called Visions a "bridge to The Commons" and highlighted the importance of the two entities working together.

Students had the opportunity to interact with board members, including the young alumni trustees, at the Young Alumni Trustee Forum on Wednesday.

Young Alumni Trustee Andrew Wilson estimated that about 50 students turned out for the annual program.

The forum was conducted differently this year, Ji said. The participants broke into about eight smaller groups to discuss issues of importance to them and then presented those issues to the larger group later.

Some of the main topics discussed at the forum were GLBT issues, major offerings and Great Performances at Vanderbilt, Ji said. Great Performances wants to establish an endowment, offer internships and to become independent from the Activities Fee system.

And some expressed interest in bringing an undergraduate business major back to campus and establishing an environmental policy program.

Though Wilson said "not all the issues will probably end up on our agenda," Ji said the young alumni trustees will present a report to the full board.

"From there it's just discussing with administrators on hand how much of an interest there is because they really have a handle on what the student body is like," Ji said.

Those ideas that require additional funding would be "much larger endeavors" but might be considered by the board.

Either way, they will make sure the administration looks into the ideas and tries to find solutions.

"At Vanderbilt we pride ourselves on our students, and we love it when students come to us with a problem or an issue and present a plan," she said.