EDITORIAL: Give the UMC a voice at Council

University Council should grant the United Minorities Council a seat. But on University Council, such groups don't have this simple luxury. As a result, many student interests go largely underrepresented, and Council does not act as a voice for everyone. But if Council decides to give the United Minorities Council seat on the body, the advisory group would be taking a step in the right direction toward better representation of all students. University Council is an advisory body. It has no decision-making power, but instead serves to advise the president and provost. If an organization is to play an adequate advisory role, it must represent both majority and minority opinion. With Council's current underrepresentation of minorities, giving a seat to the UMC would provide Council with at least one minority voice. With regard to so-called "playing favorites" in giving a seat to the UMC, it is not a question of favoring a specific group, but instead one of providing better representation. If, for example, groups such as Hillel or the InterFraternity Council request seats in the future, why not add seats to Council to accomodate more voices? Council is, after all, an advisory body which could only benefit from a wider range of opinion. This leads directly to the question of precedent. Council should be willing to start a precedent of hearing many opinions -- not just those of majority interests. In the late-18th century, three men argued in The Federalist Papers that every group should have a voice in government, that everyone should have access to the democratic process. University Council should heed their wise words and work to eliminate underrepresentation. Council should give the UMC a voice.