The Student Association has chosen its representatives for University Council.

The eight representatives were chosen by SA president Jarvis Purnell from the SA’s legislative and executive branches, he said.

“We needed somebody who can commit to that time period,” Purnell said, noting that the UC’s 3 to 5 p.m. meeting takes place during school hours. Purnell has not been able to attend UC meetings because of class, but he said this will change at the end of the semester.

If an SA representative is unable to attend a UC meeting, an alternate is appointed. In addition to eight representatives, the SA also named 10 alternates to the UC, Purnell said.

Speaker Robert Batey said he was consulted by Purnell in choosing what senators should be designated as representatives. Senators signed up for the vacant positions at the Oct. 21 senate meeting.

Batey said he designated senator Meagan Syzdlowski as a UC representative because of her desire to contribute to the process.

“Meagan Syzdlowski was the first person who came to me interested in the UC,” Batey said. “So she was appointed based on her interest.”

As for the other representatives, Batey said he gave precedence to those with more experience in the SA senate. Samuel Davis and Paul Bradley are third-year senators, and Matthew Venaas is a second-year senator, Batey said.

Venaas, an honors student and president of Douglas Hall Council, said serving on the UC was a great opportunity to give back to NIU.

“I try to help out in any way on campus,” Venaas said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to make sure students are represented on the University Council.”

Both Venaas and Batey agreed that the SA can be an effective voice on the UC.

“I think that as long as we have everyone there, we can be a very effective voice on campus,” Venaas said.

Student Association reps on University Council

Jarvis Purnell (not able to attend fall semester due to class)

Robert Batey

Sarah Roman

Paul Bradley

Samuel Davis

Matthew Venaas

Carol Orrego

Meagan Szydlowski

Alternates

Joseph Lee

Gladys Sanchez

Jason Looney

Orlando Leal

Carl Pyatt

Tiffany Smith

Eugene D. Smith

Sam Fuqua

RaShaunda Thomas

Jaclyn Curtis

SOURCE: Robert Budach, SA adviser