Next year, the Latino Coalition and the Student Activities Council will take their seats on the University Council, bringing the total number of student groups on the U. Council to five.
This is the result of a controversial proposal passed by the Undergraduate Assembly almost two weeks ago. During its weekly meeting, the UA took away the Nominations and Elections Committee's seat and designated a new seat as well from the UA's block of seats, increasing the number of U. Council seats available to other student groups by two.
About three weeks ago, during the initial application process for the three available U. Council seats, the NEC decided against allocating the seats to the InterFraternity Council and Latino Coalition, two groups that held seats on the council last year. Instead, the body assigned the three available seats to the Asian Pacific Student Coalition, the Performing Arts Council and the Panhellenic Council, all first-time representatives on the council.
In addition to SAC and the Latino Coalition, the IFC, Hillel and the Civic House Associates Council also applied for U. Council seats during this second round of applications for the two new seats.
IFC President Conor Daly said that he is glad the process is finally over with. Contrary to his remarks two weeks ago, in which he made disparaging comments about the NEC and the selection process, he said he now harbors no ill will regarding the final allocation of the U. Council seats.
"I'm happy that the month-long controversy is over, and we respect the NEC's decision," the College junior said, referring to his initial frustration with the NEC at not allowing the IFC back on the U. Council, as well as the body's closed-door deliberations.
Daly added that the IFC will most likely try applying for a U. Council seat again in the future.
"It's definitely something that we would consider, definitely something we'd probably end up doing," he said.
Risa Turetsky, CHAC co-chairwoman, also expressed some frustration at not knowing the reasons behind the denial of the group's application.
"Of course we're disappointed, [but] I don't know why we didn't get it," the College junior said, adding that CHAC also plans to apply for a seat again in the future.
The NEC usually allocates U. Council seats for student groups, but the UA must place the final stamp of approval on these assignments and can internally allocate them instead.
Nico Rodriquez, student government liaison for the Latino Coalition, said that the group is delighted to be given a place on the U. Council again.
"I think the general sentiment of the group is that we're very pleased to be on board again," the College sophomore said. "We have really enjoyed our first year of representing not only our body and the Latino population on campus, but to be an integral part of the University community."
"We're glad that the NEC is giving us the opportunity to continue," Rodriquez added.
Rodriquez said that the Latino Coalition understands the necessity of the NEC's lengthy deliberation process before assigning U. Council seats.
"In terms of the process of judging and selecting a group to represent a misrepresented group on campus, we can definitely imagine that the process takes a lot of time, and you have to be patient through it," he said.
"We've been happy to go through it," he added.
SAC Chairman Simon Bland also said he was pleased that SAC was allocated a seat this time around.
"It certainly enhances our agenda, and through open dialogue, it will enhance the forum on which we serve," the Wharton sophomore said.
"Of course we are very grateful and happy to have the seat, and we feel that it was a wise choice by the NEC because of the people we represent, our constituents," he added.
"We represent a large majority of the undergraduates on campus, and we hope to become more influential with the administration and represent the students and their concerns," Bland said. "The U. Council is an ideal place to do that."
Bland also responded to some concerns that SAC's interests overlap with those of PAC, since the two councils are perceived as undertaking similar tasks.
He acknowledged that there is some overlap, but also noted that the groups and people represented by SAC and PAC are different.
"I guess PAC is specific in what they do, because they represent a specific group on campus," Bland said. "From SAC's perspective, we're looking at the bigger issues."
