Local Vocals Bozeman
Ex Officio Seats on Advisory Boards
November 29, 2025

THE FACTS

The City Commission is considering a proposal from the Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) to create a non-voting, ex-officio student seat on every “Super Advisory Board” in the City of Bozeman.


According to the staff memo, these seats would:

  • Be designated for MSU students (nominated and trained by ASMSU)
  • Represent “student interests” on city policy issues
  • Participate in discussions but not vote
  • Produce “official student opinions” and collaborate across boards
  • Require no fiscal impact



WHY IT MATTERS

Even without voting power, presence and participation on advisory boards shape the direction of policy. Advisory boards don’t just vote—they set the agenda, frame the debate, and influence staff and commissioners long before items reach the final vote.


Key concerns:

1. Transient population, permanent influence

Students are in Bozeman temporarily. Their priorities often reflect short-term, student-centered concerns—not the long-term stability, fiscal responsibility, or property implications residents live with for decades.


2. No skin in the game

Most students are not taxpayers, do not pay property taxes, and will not bear the cost of the policies they influence. Yet advisory boards shape ordinances for housing, transportation, zoning, climate plans, spending priorities, and more.


3. Unequal representation

Creating designated seats for one demographic elevates that demographic above all others.
No other group—seniors, small landlords, homeowners, business owners, low-income families—has guaranteed seats on every advisory board.


4. It teaches the wrong lesson about civic engagement

The democratic process is based on showing up, applying, serving, and earning a seat—not being granted automatic representation because of age or affiliation.


This proposal teaches students that their voice is owed, not earned.


5. Advisory board influence is real

Even without voting rights, ex-officio members:

  • Shape narratives
  • Push staff recommendations
  • Influence public opinion
  • Change the direction of policy conversations


This is influence without accountability.


6. Risk of political capture

Student political organizations—whether progressive or conservative—change yearly. These seats risk being used as rotating ideological footholds on every advisory board in the city.


WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Submit a written comment


2. Attend the meeting in person

Showing up matters. Commissioners react to the room.


3. Give public comment (even 30 seconds helps)

You can pick a single point and expand on it. For example:

“I support student engagement, but not special representation that elevates one group over others. Advisory boards should represent the residents who live with the consequences of policy.”


4. Share this Alert with neighbors

Many don’t know this is happening. Awareness is our strongest tool.


5. Ask the Commission to expand public participation without creating permanent demographic seats


For example:

  • Promote advisory board openings to all young adults
  • Create optional student liaisons on an as-needed basis
  • Hold joint listening sessions with students instead of giving permanent positions.


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