A vote for student representation on the Marshall Board of Governors is the goal of the Student Government Association’s new resolution to counter West Virginia House Bill 3279, which made Marshall faculty, staff and student members non-voters.
An essential vote for student input in the BOG was removed in April 2025, and with it went a way for students to speak directly into administrative processes, Student Body President Connor Waller said. To SGA, the loss signaled a gap in how student perspectives reach state lawmakers.
With the recently passed resolution, a change in legislation is on the horizon, and students can remain a loud voice alongside West Virginia lawmakers.
“Thankfully, Marshall is committed to the shared governance model. However, a shift in the administration could change this,” Waller said.
Story continues below advertisement
To prevent that possibility, codified voting power will ensure a collaborative environment between the Board of Governors and Marshall students, Waller said.
Advocacy for their own thoughts, interests and policies should be taken into consideration at the administrative level, Waller said. He emphasized the value of student input goes beyond tradition, it shapes policies that affect students’ lives daily.
“Students are the best advocates for their personal situations, so it is key that these perspectives be considered while policy is being crafted,” he said.
So what happens now that the resolution has passed?
“At this point, we will begin preparing for the spring legislative session, where we will be able to have conversations with legislators about this issue,” Waller said.
Valuing student voices is already very accepted and implemented regularly by university leaders on Marshall’s campus, Waller said. Even so, SGA leaders argue institutional support isn’t a substitute for guaranteed representation.
“Student input is accepted and implemented on a regular basis, and it is vital that students be involved in the governance process,” he said.
For now, the resolution marks a renewed push for student representation, but SGA officials said it’s only the beginning.
Their goal moving forward is to make sure student voices don’t just influence policy, but help mold it and make it a reality for their fellow students.
Holly Belmont can be contacted at [email protected].
