The University Council external affairs committee will meet today at 3 p.m. in room 403 of the Holmes Student Center to consider whether it will support legislation for a separate governing board for NIU.

Under Senate Bill 0001 proposed by Sen. Patrick Welch, D-Peru, NIU would establish its own governing body, separate from the Board of Regents.

Under the current Regency system, NIU, Illinois State University and Sangamon State University are governed by 12 members, three of whom are student representatives. A separate board would consist of six members including NIU faculty, employees and students, three of whom would vote.

Rep. John Countryman, R-DeKalb, said the bill had been brought before the Illinois Senate and had “some difficulty in passing.” Countryman said his support of the legislation will depend upon the senate’s decision. The bill must pass the senate before it will be considered by the Illinois House of Representatives.

The committee will report to the UC about their actions at the council’s Feb. 8 meeting.