College district swears in new student member

The Coast Community College District Board of Trustees swore in its new student board member, Robert Lane, last week.

A student at Golden West College, Lane will act as a representative for the more than 60,000 students who use the district’s services annually, but doesn’t have a vote on the board. He will also act as chairman for the District Student Council, comprising student representatives from the district’s three schools — Coastline Community College, Golden West College and Orange Coast College. Lane’s arrival comes at a time when the discussion of district budget cuts is underway.

Lane’s experience in government includes acting as a senator at Golden West College and as a member of the college’s Model United Nations program. A political science major, he will be running a task force to watch the progress of bills that would affect community college students in the area.

“If necessary, we will go lobby in Sacramento,” Lane, 20, said.

Some of the District Student Council’s activities in the past have included initiating blood drives and lobbying for community college students in Sacramento.

“It really is up to the student trustee to set the tone for how they want their term to be served,” said Martha Parham, the district’s director of public affairs.

Lane was the California Eagle Scout of the Year from 2006-08. He was born in Long Beach and now lives in Rossmoor.

— Kathryn Watson