Fernanda Castelo currently serves as the student trustee of De Anza College. She represents De Anza students as a whole in the Board of Trustees of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. The Board consists of five elected members, one student trustee from De Anza College, and another student trustee from Foothill College.

Castelo said that the trustees “oversee operations, set policies, review budgets, and discuss issues such as Measure E” during the meetings.

Student trustees don’t have the right to vote on the Board.

However. They can give “advisory votes” to influence the votes of the five board members, Castelo said. “My role is to bring to [the Board] the perspective of students, according to the service that we received.”

Castelo said she works with the student government, is involved in academic affairs and in activities on campus to ensure that she properly represents the college.

“I work for the overall equity of college service toward the direction of student success,” said Castelo, “and I [seek to] unify the voice of the student government, ICC, and other De Anza students.”

For example, when the issue of raising the math requirement in general education was brought up, Castelo spoke out for the requests of students to be supported. She believes that she appropriately expressed students’ voices in the Board meeting.

Student trustees are appointed annually in May by the student governments from each campus, according to the Board Web site.

The election/selection committee for the student trustee of the 2001-2002 term is chaired by the current student trustee. Its twelve members include the representatives from the De Anza Associated Student Body Senate, the Inter-Club Council, and students at large, Castelo said.

According to Castelo, the application forms, which include the requirements for candidates, are currently being revised and will soon be available upon request at the Student Activities Office.

“Prospective trustees should have a good idea of the California community college system. They must also be a good observer of the college environment,” said Castelo.

She said that she learned many things from being a student trustee.

“Personally, I think it is a great internship program. I learned to use the access to the first-hand information by attending committee meetings on campus, which allowed me to learn … more of De Anza College. I also learned how and when to be an advocate. I think it is a life learning experience,” said Castelo.

She also mentioned that she would like remain politically active in the future.

The Board of Trustees usually meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings start at 7 p.m. in the District Board Room on the Foothill College campus.

The public may address the board about specific agenda items. For items not on the agenda, everyone interested can pick up a comment form at the start of the meeting, according to the Board Web site.

Castelo said she is willing to discuss her experience with anyone interested in the open position for a student trustee.

For further information about student trustees, students can access the Board of Trustees Web site at http://www.fh-da.edu/district/Board/html or contact Castelo at 408-864-8520.