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Bill promotes bipartisan boards in Colo.
By Kate Johnson
jokathry@mscd.edu

In a move both Student Government Assembly President Jack Wylie and student trustee Brian Glotzbach call surprising, Governor Bill Owens signed legislation that will restructure the political makeup of the Metro Board of Trustees.

Under the political parity bill, the board can have no more than a one-person advantage of members of the governor’s political party filling the seats. This means Republican board members Bruce Benson, Ann Rice and Alex Cranberg will not be eligible to return to the board after the end of their current terms in March.

Owens’ Deputy Press Secretary Nate Strauch said the bill will benefit Metro by ensuring the board will incorporate a diverse range of opinions. Owens’ goal, Strauch said, is to halt a habitual cycle in which governors appoint the vast majority of board members in accordance with their own political alignment.

At present, boards in most Colorado institutions are comprised almost entirely of Republicans, Owens’ political party.

Glotzbach said regardless of party affiliation, the board’s overall performance has been good. He is especially pleased with their decision to hire Metro President Stephen Jordan. Glotzbach said he is impressed with the job Jordan is doing and credits him with giving Metro a presence at the Capitol, resulting in the acquisition of millions of extra dollars for the school.

Wylie agreed that political affiliation doesn’t necessarily dictate behavior. He said that while the political parity bill is a good idea, people shouldn’t be brought in just because of their party affiliation.

“I think people, when they do come or are appointed to these boards, need to put aside Democrat, Republican and focus on what’s good for the school and good for the students regardless of what their political affiliation is,” Glotzbach said. “I don’t think that should really have any bearing on how you do your job in running a school.”