The recession colored much of the discussion at the Young Alumni Trustee's open forum, during which students and trustees were given the opportunity to discuss campus issues.

Board Chair Martha Ingram was present this past Wednesday, along with trustees Karen Fesmire, Sharon Munger, Eugene Shanks and Joanna Hayes, and young alumni trustees Carrie Colvin, Elizabeth Bennett, Alice Ji and Andrew Wilson.

Students and trustees discussed issues such as the living wage, the upper class experience, concealed weapons, activism, the culture of giving and philanthropy on campus, the futures of Greek Life and the college halls initiative, and most importantly, the ability of the university to improve on these issues in light of the severe recession.

"The best way to get a beat on campus is to have an open forum," said Colvin. "We hold a forum once a year to learn more about what current issues concern the students."

While most of the students present were members of Vanderbilt Student Government, the Young Alumni Trustees said they reached out to leaders of many campus organizations and publicized the event in The Vanderbilt Hustler.

A discussion on campus security was inspired by the Sept. 29 robbery near Kensington Garage that later turned out be part of a local gang initiation, according to VUPD.

"I think everyone pays some attention to their own security," said Ingram. "I'm concerned about security not just at Vanderbilt but also downtown. There's no way to be absolutely sure it's not going to happen. We don't want big brother watching, we want our freedom and our anonymity."

Arts and Science Council President John Furlow said it was up to students to change the culture of giving at Vanderbilt.

"It affects the U.S. and News World Report (rankings), and we need to focus on indoctrinating the freshmen early," said Furlow.

"We now have a focus on fundraising," Ingram said. "Sixty percent of students now have some form of aid, and no loans, and how we are going to make this happen in this economy will be a challenge."

Housing was also a pressing issue during the forum, with many students concerned about the future of the off-campus option in addition to the class of 2012's transition from The Commons to housing on main campus, the mention of which elicited laughter from those present.

Shanks, a noted banker, said building more housing was not feasible during the current economy.

"The objective is to eventually build colleges (like The Commons) for all students," said Shanks.

Ingram said the economy has made making mandatory on-campus housing impossible, at least for the near future.

"We don't have the capacity at this point to require it, but it's been suggested that we look into it," Ingram said. "Those that live off-campus miss the interaction and the enriching opportunities that are on campus. It's part of their educations."

While the recession has put a lot of projects on hold, Ingram said the endowment will be invested slightly more heavily, from 4.5 percent to five percent, in order to honor the debt-free financial aid pledge made by the Office of Admissions at the beginning of the year.

Student comments from the forum will be considered during today's closed Board of Trust meeting, according to Wilson.

—Kelly Jones contributed reporting to this article