Some University Council members will serve two-year terms instead of an annual post as a result of an amendment passed at its meeting Wednesday.

William Monat, rules and governance committee chairman, said the University Council Personnel Committee had recommended all faculty members serve two-year terms. Monat said the council was concerned about the “problem of continuity on the UCPC.”

Because the terms will be doubled for members elected by the Faculty Assembly, the council will always include experienced members, Executive Secretary J. Carroll Moody said.

In other business, NIU President John La Tourette announced the Wirtz House will go up for sale. The sale is approved by the state, La Tourette said. The building will be open to bids at the Board of Regents meeting next week, he said.

Previously, options of relocating or renovating the house had been considered. However, these options would cost NIU a total of $210,000, an amount three times the house’s appraised value, La Tourette said.

Because of state regulations “the costs for remodeling projects always escalate” on state campuses, La Tourette said.

La Tourette said provisions have been made for the relocation of the Foreign Studies and the University Resources for Women, which currently occupy Wirtz House.

The house is centrally located in the King Memorial Commons, which will be a site for future renovation.

Removal of asbestos and the addition of a new heating and air conditioning system at University Health Services also was mentioned at the meeting. La Tourette said the project is the eleventh priority on capital projects.

La Tourette also discussed a proposed service recognition award for faculty and staff. The award could be established by May, La Tourette said. The award, to be co-sponsored by the Faculty Club, will honor 105 people who have been at NIU for at least 25 years, he said.