The Problem of Student Participation in Elections

The university government elections held at the beginning of the academic year 1971- 1972 revealed the typical problems that beset the novel establishment of self-government at these institutions. The departmental elections concern the 650 Higher Education and Research Departments of the 65 universities and university centers in France. The role of these councils thus elected by professors, university personnel, and students is quite important. By the terms of the Orientation Law, the councils are principally responsible for admitting students, for the choice of teaching methods, and for establishing examination regulations. In addition, the council members select delegates to the university councils who are responsible for, among other things, the voting on the budgets for these institutions.