With the newly formed inter-school council for undergraduates, each of the four academic councils will be able to achieve more on a larger scale than the individual academic councils have been able to in the past.

The newly christened inter-school academic council currently exists in an unofficial capacity and includes the presidents and vice presidents of the individual schools’ academic councils. It has the support of the provost and is seeking official recognition. Though the group is currently in its early stages, it is already taking advantage of its broader scope, which enables it to achieve more university-wide goals than the narrower individual councils can accomplish. The new body gives students a stronger voice in larger issues such as extending the add-drop period, getting major GPAs listed on students’ transcripts and creating a professor-rating system.

This new initiative is a move in the right direction because it is one of a kind; nothing like it exists in a structured, ongoing capacity. As virtual shareholders in the university’s mission, students deserve a say – not merely in their own school’s academics but also in academics on a core, university level.

With such a large scope, however, the newest contributor to the conversation on Georgetown academic life must be wary of overstepping its bounds. Its relevance lies in instilling cooperation among the councils and in enacting university-wide reform. It must steer clear of dabbling in individual school issues or using its influence to overshadow the importance of the inwardly focused school councils.

A valuable tool for incorporating student input in the undergraduate schools, the current academic council system has proven necessary. With the dawn of an overarching body to tie the system together, a louder, more unified student voice has the power to speak.