First-Year Reps. Sour On Council

One month after the election that brought 63 rookie representatives onto the Undergraduate Council, some new members already seem disillusioned.

One source of disappointment for first-year members has been the lack of progress of reform resolutions in the council.

"There are two camps," says Jason E. Schmitt '98, who ran for council president last month. "Some love the U.C., and some think the procedures are excessive and we can get a lot more done."

Several new members expressed surprise at the length of recent council meetings and the strict parliamentary procedure that is followed.

The Sunday night meetings have each lasted three to four hours, about an hour longer than in previous years.

Council President David L. Hanselman '94-'95 says the length of the gatherings has led him to consider proposing two general meetings per week.

"There comes a point when you focus so much on procedure that the substance gets lost and forgotten," says Francisco A. Perez '98.

The focus on procedure has disappointed some new members, even those who entered with low expectations, says Geoffrey C. Rapp '98.

"I didn't have any illusions that the U.C. was ultra-powerful," Rapp says. "But I didn't think so much time would be wasted arguing over silly little things and squabbling."

The arguments often delay progress, Schmitt says. "A lot of good ideas get bogged down in parliamentary motions," he says. "By the time we get to vote, everything's been skewed."

The excessively formal debates have frustrated many members.

"A lot of people are becoming disillusioned and have stopped coming to meetings," Rapp says.

Sixty-one out of 83 representatives attended Sunday's general meeting, and two sophomore members, both serving their first-terms on the council, have already been expelled for poor attendance.

Eleven others received attendance warnings, says vice president Brandon C. Gregoire '95.

Morale Boost

Some returning members say the "new blood" has boosted morale and helped the council to move beyond the bickering of past years.

"The new people have provided new ideas and energy and manpower for old ideas," Hanselman says.

Among the projects new members are working on is a free comedy concert at the Science Center this Thursday.

But the influx of new members was insufficient to pass several of the constitutional reforms sponsored by the Movement to Reform the Undergraduate Council (MRUC). The reforms included a resolution considered Sunday to hold general council elections each semester instead of once a year.

"Most of the new members are eager for change," says Dudley House representative and veteran council member Richard A. Cole '95. "But each week MRUC proposes reforms, and they keep being shot down by a few votes."

A non-MRUC proposal to add a first-year representative to the council's executive board also failed.

First-Years

But Gregoire maintains that attendance has been highest among first-years, and most have remained enthusiastic about their work.

"The enthusiasm is still there [among first-years] and we're definitely getting things done," says council parliamentarian Elizabeth A. Haynes '98.

Even members who say they are frustrated with council procedures agree that some progress in being made.

"We've had a lot of enthusiasm and new ideas, which has been very positive," says Gregory M. Heestand '98.

First-years say they like committee and Freshman Caucus meetings most.

The caucus is planning a concentration fair and the Freshman Formal, and it helped organize Halloween trick-or-treating in the Yard.

"The Freshman Caucus is a lot more informal [than the general council]," Schmitt says. "In a half-hour meeting, we get as much done as in a three-hour council meeting."

A lack of political factions is the reason for the success of the caucus, Heestand says. He sees a trend that may be spreading to the council as a whole.

"I definitely see [the U.C.] as being less factioned this year," says Cole, who is serving his fourth term. "People are shifting back and forth rather than staying in voting blocks."

Hanselman says he agrees.

"We're not being sidetracked by the internal controversy," he says, "which has been a problem in the past.

The excessively formal debates have frustrated many members.

"A lot of people are becoming disillusioned and have stopped coming to meetings," Rapp says.

Sixty-one out of 83 representatives attended Sunday's general meeting, and two sophomore members, both serving their first-terms on the council, have already been expelled for poor attendance.

Eleven others received attendance warnings, says vice president Brandon C. Gregoire '95.

Morale Boost

Some returning members say the "new blood" has boosted morale and helped the council to move beyond the bickering of past years.

"The new people have provided new ideas and energy and manpower for old ideas," Hanselman says.

Among the projects new members are working on is a free comedy concert at the Science Center this Thursday.

But the influx of new members was insufficient to pass several of the constitutional reforms sponsored by the Movement to Reform the Undergraduate Council (MRUC). The reforms included a resolution considered Sunday to hold general council elections each semester instead of once a year.

"Most of the new members are eager for change," says Dudley House representative and veteran council member Richard A. Cole '95. "But each week MRUC proposes reforms, and they keep being shot down by a few votes."

A non-MRUC proposal to add a first-year representative to the council's executive board also failed.

First-Years

But Gregoire maintains that attendance has been highest among first-years, and most have remained enthusiastic about their work.

"The enthusiasm is still there [among first-years] and we're definitely getting things done," says council parliamentarian Elizabeth A. Haynes '98.

Even members who say they are frustrated with council procedures agree that some progress in being made.

"We've had a lot of enthusiasm and new ideas, which has been very positive," says Gregory M. Heestand '98.

First-years say they like committee and Freshman Caucus meetings most.

The caucus is planning a concentration fair and the Freshman Formal, and it helped organize Halloween trick-or-treating in the Yard.

"The Freshman Caucus is a lot more informal [than the general council]," Schmitt says. "In a half-hour meeting, we get as much done as in a three-hour council meeting."

A lack of political factions is the reason for the success of the caucus, Heestand says. He sees a trend that may be spreading to the council as a whole.

"I definitely see [the U.C.] as being less factioned this year," says Cole, who is serving his fourth term. "People are shifting back and forth rather than staying in voting blocks."

Hanselman says he agrees.

"We're not being sidetracked by the internal controversy," he says, "which has been a problem in the past.