§51326 Student advisory board at the United States Merchant Marine Academy

Summary

The Maritime Administrator must set up an advisory board at the United States Merchant Marine Academy called the Advisory Board to the Secretary of Transportation. The board must include at least 12 midshipmen who are enrolled at the Academy, with at least 3 from each class. Members are chosen by the Maritime Administrator no later than 60 days after a new class is sworn in and serve for 1 academic year. Up to 6 midshipmen from the prior year may be reappointed for one more academic year if the Maritime Administrator thinks it’s best. The board must meet with the Secretary of Transportation at least once each academic year and meet in person with the Maritime Administrator at least twice each academic year. The board must identify issues affecting midshipmen—such as health and wellbeing, diversity, sexual assault and harassment, and other important topics on campus, off campus, and during shipboard training—and propose solutions, including ways to improve culture and leadership. It must periodically review a related Academy program and recommend improvements. The board may create working groups that include other midshipmen. It must give regular reports and briefings to the Secretary and the Maritime Administrator, in writing, in person, or both.