By Kyeland Jackson —

Student Government President Aaron Vance is working to seat a student on the University of Louisville Foundation board.

Vance announced his plan during an SGA staff retreat August 27, citing support to create the position.

“I’ve spoken extensively with both (board of trustees) chairmen,” Vance said.

“Dr. Pinto and both President Ramsey, both administrations, were in favor of this idea because of the increasing intersectionality.”

The deal is still in the works, awaiting resolution in the student senate before Vance announces it to the foundation board. Vance said he hopes to create the seat before his term as president ends.

“We still have a few little nuances and things to work out exactly. Who that person should be if it expressly should be the student body president, or the student services vice president or if it should just be a student as a whole,” Vance said.

Founded in 1970, the U of L foundation manages the university’s $680 million endowment, investing and spending funds in conjunction with university administrators. Junior Bridgeman, foundation treasurer, said he’s unsure if a student seat on the board has ever been created. U of L and the foundation board work increasingly close together. Ramsey served as president of both boards in his term.

The announcement was only part of a summary the SGA president shared with senators August 27. It was the groups first meeting since summer brought upheaval to the university.

“A lot happened this summer. A lot,” Vance said.

This summer the university’s board of trustees were abolished, the president resigned, a new board of trustees was installed, and a tuition rate increase was approved. The interim business school dean resigned, the confederate statue was slated for removal, and Attorney General Andy Beshear sued Governor Matt Bevin twice.

Beshear’s suit resulted in an injunction against Bevin’s 10-member board of trustees, however the original board is still illegally constituted with no minority representation. Vance said that bars trustees from considering personnel matters.

“It’s a complicated and complex matter,” Vance said.

The original board approved U of L’s operating budget August 26, passing the controversial five percent tuition rate increase for students. The budget includes a “Credit for Credits” program, which refunds full-time students the increased tuition balance, and a promise to freeze tuition rates next academic year.

The program does not refund students who complete under 30 credit hours a year.

After his summary, Vance and SGA administrators laid out plans for the year. Vance intends to create an internship resembling the University of Kentucky’s “Wildcats in Washington & Frankfort” program. UK’s program awards internships for political offices in Washington or Frankfort, including a stipend to offset costs. Vance hopes SGA will fund stipends for U of L interns, and wants to extend internships for all colleges and programs on campus.

Services Vice President Lauren Greenwell addressed safety, saying she plans to extend the safety “L trail,” streamline safety apps, address campus lighting and increase police presence on campus. University safety was questioned after a store clerk was shot and killed a few blocks away from campus in March.

Photo credit Kyeland Jackson // The Louisville Cardinal