UNI STUDENTS CAN expect to see a few unfamiliar faces in the hallways Thursday. That’s because the student councils at Uni High and St. Thomas More are in the midst of a two-day exchange program.

This morning six Uni StudCo members — Micah Berman, Shara Esbenshade, Suran Yoo, Aran Yoo, Alan Liang, and Natsuki Nakamura — arrived at STM for a 7:15 student council meeting. They spent the rest of the day with their Champaign hosts before departing around 2 p.m.

On Thursday, five upperclassmen from the STM student council will visit Uni, arriving about 8 a.m. and leaving at 2.

Why the exchange?

“The basic idea is that going to somewhere else and seeing how someone else runs their meetings and conducts student council business will be helpful in reflecting on our own processes and actions,” said Berman, StudCo executive president.

“The STM students will shadow Uni students throughout their normal day, and we’ll rearrange and swap as necessary to make sure they get to see special things like the lounge and a class from most departments.”

During lunch on both days the student councils will eat pizza together.

“At this point, the goal is really to build a connection between the student councils,” said Berman.

StudCo not only wants to build up the connection with STM but also work with other area groups. Berman stated that if this program succeeds, larger-scale exchanges would occur in years to come.

Those students who participate in the exchange will attempt to create relationships with their hosts, namely by staying with their partner on both days of the exchange.

“As elected representatives of the school, it’s a great opportunity to see what life is like at a school different from ours,” said Berman, “and to build some friendships and connections between the two schools.”