Many still wondering who he is, and how he was voted in
Students are showing no shock after learning of the Board of Regents’ vote to make Bruce Benson the next president of CU.
However, many students still have questions about him and how the board came to their decision.
Justin Carlton, a senior Russian studies major, said he wasn’t surprised by the vote.
“I’m not surprised because he was the only one running,” he said. “I’m displeased.”
Jordan Lugenbeel, a junior dance major, said he had mixed feelings about Benson as president.
“I’ve heard bad things about him, but he’s a fundraiser, that’s where he’s experienced,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot of negative things, and not a lot of positive, even though he did get it.”
Prior to the regents’ final vote on Benson, members of UCSU passed a resolution expressing their displeasure with his nomination. The UCSU Tri-Executives were contacted but unavailable for comment.
However, other students said they were happy to see Benson voted in.
Jack A. Roldan III, a senior international affairs major and the vice-chair of the College Republicans, said the group was excited to see Benson fill the role of president and that the board made the right choice.
“Those in opposition to Benson should move forward, so we can collectively, as a university, continue to build on the reputation that the university has already established,” he said.
Though the board’s decision process has been questioned by some students, Roldan said he thought the process was fair.
“I think the board did a great job in encouraging student voices,” he said. “That’s the great thing about the democratic system, it allows people to voice their opinions and concerns.”
The College Democrats were unavailable for comment.
Other students said they felt the decision process was not transparent and didn’t encourage student opinions.
“I am a bit concerned about the process, because students didn’t have a say, and he was the sole finalist. I don’t know if they were fair because I didn’t know about the selection process, that’s what bothers me,” said Anne Laesecke, a fifth year senior linguistics major.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Marcy Franklin at Marcy.franklin@colorado.edu.
