OK, yesterday we discussed the Faculty Assembly. Today, we journey into the world of the University Council.

The University Council consists of 30 full-time NIU faculty members, including department chairs. A Supportive Professional Staff member and Operating Staff Council president sit on the council also.

Last semester, members of the Operating and Supportive Professional Staff claimed they were inadequately represented. More members of these groups were put on committees, and in response to the complaints, the UC established another committee to study the problem.

The Student Association president and 14 student members sit on the council. One student is chosen from each of the student advisory councils. Seven students are chosen by a committee made up of the SA representative and the seven student advisory council members. No more than three students majoring in any one college can be selected to serve on the council at the same time.

Among the ex-officio members are 11 voting members, including the NIU president, the vice president and provost, the vice president for student affairs, and each college’s and Graduate School’s dean. Three ex-officio members are selected by the president.

The faculty representatives are elected by faculty members from their colleges, limiting it to one representative from each college. The remaining members reflect the ratio between the number of regular full-time faculty members in each college, excluding the Supportive Professional staff, to the total number of such faculty members.

The UC has the power to establish NIU’s educational and academic policies. It participates in decisons made on other matters that might directly affect educational policies.

The UC also advises the president and vice presidents on policies affecting the quality of student life on campus.

The UC acts upon reports from designated committees, boards, commissions or councils whose actions affect the educational and academic policies of NIU.

Last semester, the UC passed a resolution showing their opposition to Board of Regents policy changes. The council asked the Regents to delay action on the proposed changes, which were eventually approved.

One change was to streamline the process of selecting and evaluating Regency university presidents, including NIU’s, and put board Chancellor Roderick Groves in charge of evaluating and coordinating presidential searches. The Regents govern NIU, Illinois State University in Normal and Sangamon State University in Springfield.

The proposed changes were seen by many as an attempt to limit the university’s presidential powers and a power grab by Groves following NIU and ISU bids for separate governing boards.