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University of Arkansas student Justin Lowry announced last
week that he would be seeking election as a student advisor
to the UA Board of Trustees. Lowry cited the current board’s
"general" lack of accountability and adequate student representation
as his reasons for running.
"They’re
out of touch," Lowry said of the board. "We have bankers,
land developers, even a dentist on the board. But how many
educators or students sit on it? I’ll tell you, zero."
Lowry, a UA sophomore, expressed his desire to see the university
run by the people who make up its community – the students,
faculty and staff. Although there is no position currently
open, Lowry hopes his efforts will result in at least some
student representation on the board, preferably himself.
"How
can someone who has never stood at the head of a classroom,
or who hasn’t sat in one for at least 30 years be expected
to know what is in the best interests of today’s institution
of higher learning? I think the answer is obvious," Lowry
said.
Lowry stated he was concerned over the number of administrators
and their salaries in comparison to many other campus workers.
"Although
the number of students on campus has only slightly increased
these last few years," said Lowry, "the number of administrators
has skyrocketed. With them has come an ever increasing strain
on our budget."
"Chancellor
White alone is pulling down $235,000 a year, “ he continued,
“and that is on top of providing him housing. When you look
at his and other administrative salaries and compare them
to the meager earnings that most campus workers are bringing
home, it kind of makes you sick."
"There
are hundreds of workers on this campus . . . if they’re trying
to raise kids on their wages, they are qualifying for food
stamps. Working full time, taking care of our university,
and qualifying for food stamps! Now what kind of message is
that sending?"
Lowry said if elected, he promises to remedy what he sees
as campus problems needing to be addressed by slashing administrative
salaries and top administrative spots.
"First
off," Lowry asserted, "I’d take a serious look at the Chancellor
position. What does he do anyway?"
Other concerns of Lowry include the rising costs of tuition,
the lack of diversity on campus, the “large amount of research
being done by the University for private corporations” and
continuing efforts by the current administration to privatize
campus.
With students’ votes and group effort, Lowry said he would
work to make the UA "a place we can all be proud of” and urges
students to voice their desire to see student representation
on a “representative” board. 
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