Editor’s note: This is the first article in a three-part series concerning student representation on University Council.

The University Council is lacking representation of a major group on campus: Students.

Yet it may be the students who are to blame for their lack of a voice in University Council dealings.

Students are supposed to be represented on University Council by the president of the Student Association and 14 additional student members, according to the University Council Constitution. Seven of the additional student representatives come from the SA, while each of the other seven come from a different degree-granting college, according to the constitution.

The Student Advisory Councils for each degree-granting college are supposed to have a representative and a student associate, but only one of the Student Advisory Councils has a representative officially listed on University Council.

As of Oct. 10, Donna Mathesius, administrative assistant to University Council, said her records indicate that five of the seven SA representatives have been listed as representatives, and that the Student Advisory Committee for the College of Health and Human Sciences has a representative.

“The University Council is the main body on campus that sets policy,” Faculty Senate president Paul Stoddard said. “Many of the issues discussed involve student matters such as curriculum, housing, security and fee structures.”

Without student representatives present on University Council, the student voice cannot be proportionately heard, Stoddard said.

“Many times, a student viewpoint is needed so that faculty, staff and administration can truly appreciate the impact University Council’s decisions will have on students,” Stoddard said. “It is the best opportunity for students to get their concerns voiced and to make sure NIU is a place they want to be.”

The deadline for student representatives to be appointed was Sept. 10, according to the constitution.

“It really is important for student reps to be named as early as possible so that students have all the representation that they’re due,” Stoddard said. “The Sept. 10 deadline is very difficult to make, we know.”