Imagine an automobile club restricted to non-drivers or a vegetarian's group with only cattle-raisers as members. At the University, a well-intentioned advisory group is missing an essential voice.

The University President's International Council monitors international academic activities at Penn State, such as student issues and faculty sabbaticals. Ironically, the International Student Council was never invited to join.

Now, after a recent push from the University Student Advisory Board on behalf of ISC, the president's council can make amends and invite the new representation.

The 24-member group's president, Abbas Aminmansour, has indicated ISC would gladly accept. It is only logical that those people most informed on international concerns be a part of the group.

Currently the council, which meets twice per semester, includes one representative from each academic college, Capital College, Behrend College and Hershey Medical Center. There is also a representative from the Undergraduate Student Government and the Graduate Student Association. Occasionally, international students have sat on the council as GSA representatives.

Quick approval by the Office of the President would surely increase the council's credibility, while allowing international students another forum to voice their needs and concerns.