DeKALB | NIU President John Peters spoke briefly about the new NIU Web site during his announcements at Wednesday’s University Council meeting.

Peters discussed how information should be easy to find on the site as well as the importance of frequently updating the site. He also discussed how important the features are to prospective students.

“It is becoming the major recruitment tool,” Peters said.

Other important topics discussed at the meeting included the FY07 budget’s approval from the Board of Trustees and the University Council’s recommendation of a new university smoking policy.

Paul Stoddard spoke about the budget approval. He said the state currently provides for 27 percent of the school’s funding, a rate slightly higher than last year’s. According to literature included with the meeting’s agenda, “the remainder [of the University’s funding] is from tuition, bond operations, gifts, grants, etc.”

The University Council also adopted a recommendation to expand the existing smoking policy. The new addition prohibits smoking in all university-owned vehicles. According to a letter included with the meeting’s agenda, “Violation of this policy may lead to loss or suspension of university driving privileges.”

Dan Stone is the Higher Education beat reporter for the Northern Star.