Chisum to brief U. Council today

University Council members will be briefed on the preliminary report of the Commission on Strengthening the Community at their meeting this afternoon in the Quadrangle. The briefing, which will be presented by Commission Chairperson Gloria Chisum, is a month overdue. An ice storm forced the cancelation of January's University Council session, at which Chisum was originally going to address the members. Chisum, who is also vice chairperson of the University Board of Trustees, said last night she hopes recent snowfall will not force the cancellation of today's meeting or prevent her from attending. Provided she can make the meeting, Chisum said she will discuss the Commission report's recommendations and the philosophy behind it. One week after the release of the controversial report, Chisum said she believes the University community has reacted positively so far. While acknowledging some students are "unhappy" with the Commission's recommendation that freshmen be assigned to residences and not be allowed to live in living-learning programs, Chisum said she hopes to clear up confusion over the issue at today's meeting. Many students believe the Commission's recommendation on assigned housing is the equivalent of randomized housing, but Chisum said this is not the case. "This is not a major change from the way things are now, except for how you [assign students] and the purpose behind it," she said. "I think the purpose behind every recommendation in the report is to strengthen the education and knowledge generation of the institution." While Chisum said she did not know how University Council members will react to the report during tomorrow's meeting, she said she would be disappointed if there was no discussion. In addition to Chisum's address on the Commission report, University Council members will hear brief reports from the Facilities Committee and the International Programs Committee. The Facilities Committee was charged with reviewing the facilities planning process and developing an understanding of its advisory role in the long-term planning process. The International Programs Committee looked at various issues concerning the University's international environment and made a series of recommendations for future internalization efforts. The interim report of the Safety and Security Committee will also be presented. The University Council meeting begins at 4:00 p.m. in McClelland Lounge in the Quad. It is open to the public.