An active and viable student council can help to involve both rebellious and uncommitted students in useful outlets. The major causes of ineffective councils are homogeneous membership, weak leadership, and misinformed faculty advisors. Principals should take the initiative in solving these problems. To break down homogeniety, the council should represent groups divided along curriculum lines and student members at large should be appointed to broaden membership. To avoid weak leadership, the council should select its own officers. Full faculty support of the council is necessary if the faculty advisor is to be successful. In addition, the advisor must balance his actions to achieve a feeling of independence by the council. Of necessity, the faculty advisor must be aware of parliamentary procedure and school law and policy, and be able to empathize with the young. To insure viability of the council more concern for activities relating to teaching, learning, and community service should be encouraged, rather than the customary fund-raising and dance-sponsoring activities. (LN)