BYU NewsNet - University Student Council Holds First Meeting

The University Student Council, a committee consisting of about 20 representatives from different organizations on campus, convened for the first time on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006.

The goal of the council is to represent every student on campus through organizations they are involved in. Members include representatives of each college, first-year students, international and non-traditional students, as well as The Daily Universe, athletics department, and BYUSA organizations.

BYUSA President Chris Giovarelli said the purpose of the council is to learn to cooperate and coordinate together on issues that are important at BYU.

"The vision of the University Student Council is to be leaders centered on Jesus Christ who work to coordinate service across campus in the various organizations," he said. "The key that I think we're going to be able to accomplish here is finding ways to communicate with a single voice."

University President Samuelson echoed this idea in a welcoming address to USC members.

"We not only want to be Christ-centered, but we want to continue to learn," he said. "The University Student Council is a place where you can continue to learn."

President Samuelson also said he hopes the council will learn to work together to solve problems.

"If you need to get things done, almost always it requires not only coordination, but compromise," he said.

President Samuelson said he hopes the students on the council will take advantage of the opportunity they have to represent others and realize the long-term benefits their actions can have.

"I think you will find this to be a wonderful and exhilarating process. ... I think you will do some things that are helpful to the university," he said. "Understanding how to work in a group teaches you not only a lot about other people, but I think fundamentally, it teaches you a lot about yourself."

USC plans to meet once a month to discuss issues on campus, such as devotional attendance, honor code observance and encouraging students to get involved with the construction of the Gordon B. Hinckley Building.