Council holds open mtg. today

For the first time ever, students who are not representatives on University Council will be able to speak at the body's open meeting today. An open forum will be held for one hour of the Council's meeting. Students who signed up with the Office of the Secretary by Monday will be able to speak for up to three minutes each at the meeting. Usually, only Council members can speak at the meetings, which are open to the public. Occasionally experts or presenters have been invited by Council to speak at the meeting. According to Faculty Senate Chairperson Barbara Lowery and Council Moderator and Political Science Professor Will Harris, topics brought up at the forum will include women's issues, lesbian issues, recreational facilities, the Andres Serrano "Piss Christ" exhibit, minority permanence and PennWatch. This open forum is a result of the recent changes made to Council's by-laws. Those who did not inform the Secretary's Office will be permitted to speak at Harris' discretion, and only if time remains after those scheduled to speak do so. According to the published format for the open forum, statements should be "framed in terms of policy issues and directed to Council as a body through the Moderator." There will be opportunities, barring time constraints, for response from Council members and follow-up from speakers. During the first hour of the meeting, Council will discuss the Judicial Charter and proposed revisions to it. In addition, Council will talk about the body's by-laws and any revisions that may be made to them. Proposed revisions will then go to a mail vote in the near future. Minor changes to Council's committee membership lists will also be discussed. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. with the open forum scheduled for 5 p.m. It will take place in the Quadrangle's McClelland Hall and is open to the entire University community.