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Sophomore political science student Ben Goodman has been nominated to the University of Maine System board of trustees by Gov. John Baldacci, according to a statement issued by the governor on Monday.
Goodman is a student senator in UMaine Student Government and president of the Maine Federation of College Democrats. He is also the co-host of “Drive Time” on WMEB 91.9 FM, UMaine’s radio station.
According to the statement, Goodman was appointed to serve on the Maine Legislative Youth Advisory Council from 2006-2008. He was the elected co-chairman of the council in 2007.
The nominations will be reviewed by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and confirmed by the state Senate. Goodman said he expects to go before the committee sometime next month.
If confirmed, Goodman said his No. 1 priority would be making sure education in the system stays affordable.
“We’ve got to look big-picture,” Goodman said. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep tuition prices down.”
“I’m from Maine, and I really believe a strong university system is crucial to the state,” Goodman said. “The only way to ensure students have access to higher education is to keep it affordable. There are already too many people who can’t afford to go to school.”
Goodman said the process of his nomination began last year, when then-SG President Owen McCarthy sought nominees for the position. After UMaine President Robert Kennedy went over the list, Goodman moved on as the only nominee presented to General Student Senate, who approved the initial nomination.
Each of the seven universities in the system is allotted one representative to the board of trustees, but only one representative is a voting member of the board. If Goodman is confirmed, his vote will speak not only for students at UMaine, but also all the other schools in the system.
“Ben is a balanced, level-headed person who loves the University of Maine,” said Dean of Students Robert Dana. “He fully understands the needs of students here at UMaine and all across the state. We believe he’ll represent students with a passion, and a perspective informed by his peers and college here at the university.”
Dana said he hopes to see a confirmation by the state senate no later than two months from now.
