Council to hold first open forum

The University Council will conduct its first ever open forum at its monthly meeting next week, Political Science Professor and Council Moderator Will Harris said last night. At next Wednesday's meeting, members of the University community will have the opportunity to discuss any campus issues. Harris and Steering Committee Chairperson Barbara Lowery will determine which issues will be covered within the time restrictions. "[The forum] is supposed to provide an opportunity to address a diversity of issues directly to the president and provost from all constituencies of the University," said Associate Secretary Constance Goodman, who serves as secretary to Council. Those interested in speaking at the meeting must inform the Office of the Secretary by Monday, Nov. 7. Subject matter must be specified. Goodman said this will allow Harris and Lowery, who also chairs the Faculty Senate, to prepare a schedule of speakers and issues. In addition, by knowing in advance which issues will be raised, the Council will be able to have experts on those topics present, Goodman added. "That will only reinforce what the president and provost or other University Council representatives might have to say," she said. "I am very hopeful that people will take advantage of it." The final schedule will be posted in various publications and on the Internet prior to the meeting. Harris, who called the open forum a "great idea," said the meeting comes as a result of the recent revisions to Council's by-laws. "It has not been done to my knowledge in this form before," he said. "This creates a more open context for representatives of Council to hear from non-members." The University Council meeting will take place on Nov. 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in McClelland Hall in the Quadrangle. One hour of that time will be devoted to the open forum. All members of the University community, including those who will not be speaking at the event, are welcome to attend.