HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-26 Public Comment - A. Knaub - Student representation on advisory boards does not guarantee good policy From: Andrew Knaub
To: Bozeman Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Student representation on advisory boards does not guarantee good policy
Date: Sunday, March 1,2026 7:54:26 AM
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Commission:
As MSU rapidly grows, the City of Bozeman and MSU should do more to coordinate on
policy to address growth.
We need a new board made up of representatives from MSU faculty, staff, and the elected
ASMSU student body, as well as planning and facilities folks from both the City and MSU
planning departments to discuss issues and make sure there is communication between
respective decision-makers.
If MSU students get to have a special seat on boards that advise the City Commission on
policies in Bozeman, the student should have to live off-campus, within Bozeman city limits,
and be in Bozeman year-round to be eligible. Only 1 in 3 students live on campus,but these
students do not pay taxes to the City like renters normally do through their rent(since MSU is
tax-exempt). Many students go home for the summer,while others commute in from outside
of Bozeman.
MSU students are able to apply for city boards and submit comments like anyone else. If the
goal is to empower students to engage in city issues, perhaps a member of the City
Commission should be appointed to ASMSU as a non-voting member to keep students
apprised of issues being discussed by the City Commission or different boards and explain
how or why students can make their voice heard.
Thank you for your consideration,
Andrew Knaub