The University Council met on Wednesday to discuss matters of conflict of interest regarding NIU employee interactions between the public and the government.

The UC members discussed a draft about Guidelines and Procedures on Conflict of Interest Situations. Often, faculty are asked to research, teach and perform public service missions outside the university.

The draft states that conflict of interest arises when “outside activities compete with internal obligations.”

“We need a conflict of interest policy; however, I want to emphasize that faculty input is necessary, because we will be the most affected by this,” said Lorys Oddi, associate professor in the school of nursing.

Jerrold Zar, dean of the graduate school, was concerned that the guidelines were patterned after a similar policy at the University of Illinois at Champaign.

Oddi said, “If we are patterning this after someone, then we need to cite them. We need to fashion one that is better suited for Northern.”

Some UC members questioned the importance of students being included in the guidelines, because they leave after a few years.

Ian Baptiste, an education graduate student, disagreed. “Students count, even though we leave in three or four years, there are always students here, I hope.”

The guidelines draft also states that “the university expects employees to accord to primary loyalty and commitment to the university during the terms of their respective appointments.”

Oddi said 35 years ago when she began her teaching career, she did not plan on “indentured servitude to a university somewhere.”

The UC decided to send the draft to committee for further consideration.

Also discussed during the meeting was a proposed change in the wording of the preamble to the Faculty Senate Bylaws.

Part of the preamble was changed to read that the goal of the FS is “to advance the instructional mission of the university by maintaining an optimal learning environment throughout the university.” Controversy arose over the use of the words “instructional mission.”

“The word ‘mission’ is a lightning rod. We are doing a great disservice if we associate the mission as instructional only,” Zar said.

He said the wording implies learning is only related through instruction.

“It is wrong to think learning only takes place by students. We are all learning,” Zar said.

Student Association Rep. Harry Kontos said, after the meeting, that the whole point of a university is to educate students enrolled in the school.

“If teachers think they are here to learn, then they should pay tuition,” Kontos said.