The Board of Regents recently approved an amendment to the NIU Constitution that allows for the development of an NIU Faculty Senate, which will replace the existing Faculty Assembly and extend faculty representation to as many as 80 members.

Interest in developing the senate has been demonstrated throughout the past few years from both assembly members and non-members. In a survey questioning more than 200 NIU faculty members in 1987, about 90 percent said they were interested in expanding faculty representation on governance issues.

Because it will represent faculty from every college and department at NIU, the senate development will help promote equality when discussing issues of interest such as compensation and benefits, facilities and faculty budget.

Although the senate will not be formed until spring during annual senate elections, the expectations of the senate must be monitored by those involved. With any 80 people working together, it is easy for some to break into groups and dilute the business at hand.

But as long as the group can work together to reach its goals, this step toward more adequate representation of all faculty should be successful.