The Student Judiciary made a grave mistake Monday when its members proposed apportioning professional representative seats based on professional programs. The SJ advocates allocating one Student Council seat to each of the five professional programs, nursing, veterinary, medical, pharmacy and law respectively.

With total seats capped at 33 members, such a decision would force unwarranted apportion cuts in other representative programs, notably L&S, Business and freshman seats. Currently, professional representatives are allocated two seats and are not separated by program.

My concern with SJ's reallocation proposal is two-fold. First, net enrollment does not align with the proposed designation of seats. For example, according to the University of Wisconsin Enrollment Report, there are currently 314 enrolled veterinary students. Comparatively, there are 5,862 enrolled freshmen. Adhering to strict enrollment proportions, veterinary students should be awarded 0.25 representatives and freshmen should be awarded 4.66 representatives.

Though allocating fractions of representatives is unfeasible, the leap from 0.25 to 1 is clear apportionment distortion. According to SJ's proposal however, the veterinary program would be awarded one seat and freshmen awarded two seats.

I also question professional students' interest in Student Council. As a Student Election Commissioner, I understand firsthand the difficulty in attracting graduate and professional student involvement in Student Council. Referencing the fall 2005 election, SEC received one declaration form to fill the one open non-L&S seat. Comparatively, SEC received 14 declaration forms to fill the one open freshman seat.

SJ claims representation of five professional programs by two seats, the current apportionment, is a misrepresentation of professional schools within the Student Council. I believe representation of 5,862 freshman students by two seats is a misrepresentation within the Student Council. The numbers simply do not add up. In addition, the lack of professional student interest in Student Council does not support the substantial increase in professional program representation.

Student Council reapportionment is an issue the SEC and SJ address every four years. Further, Student Council representatives' decisions affect the collective student body. Therefore, changes to seat apportionment will have a great impact on the Student Council structure and prevalence on campus.

I strongly urge the SJ to reconsider its proposed reapportionment ideas and establish apportionment based strictly on enrollment figures. In addition, I encourage Student Council members and non-council members alike to contact the SJ and express your concerns regarding reapportionment.