Memorial University students Alex Noel and Christian Samson have been appointed to the school’s Board of Regents.
Both were nominated by their respective student unions and recommended by the board itself.
Samson is a student at MUN’s Marine Institute where he is pursuing a joint diploma of technology and bachelor of technology in engineering and applied science of underwater vehicles. He has volunteered extensively in support of post-secondary students.
Noel, meanwhile, completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2015 and remains enrolled at Memorial. Their resume includes serving as student rep on the Council on Higher Education and the chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students provincial chapter.
In the spring, Noel was a vocal critic of the university’s plan to increases tuition and fees as part of its 2017-18 budget. Prior to a Board of Regents meeting to vote on the proposed budget, Noel and some other students were granted an audience with members to present alternatives to the proposed budget. When they felt as though the presentation was dismissed without due considering, Noel opened an exit door allowing a flood of protestors into the room.
"They would not offer me a real answer, so as somebody that represents all public post-secondary students in Newfoundland and Labrador I was not going to just sit by and allow that meeting to happen when it's going to have such a detrimental impact on so many people that work and study here," Noel told the Telegram afterwards.
"I did what I felt I had to do at that point."
Grenfell Campus is represented by the students’ union Margarette Leandre.
The graduate students’ union is without a rep, but a candidate was nominated at the most recent board meeting. The university expects a decision in the first quarter of 2018.
