Declared candidates for chair of the Undergraduate Council debated the issues last night in front of a crowd of 30, composed mainly of council members and reporters from campus publications.

Chair hopefuls David L. Duncan '93, Malcolm A. Heinicke '93 and Marc D. McKay '94 discussed the chair's role within the council and the need for financial accountability. But the debate was dominated by talk of the council's image.

"Council popularity is at an all time low and it is up to the chair to reverse that trend," said Duncan, a Winthrop House resident and a four year veteran of the student representative body.

But Heinicke, who lives in Eliot House, disagreed, saying that image should not be the council's main priority.

"Serving the undergraduates should be our main concern," said Heinicke, the outgoing vice chair. "Presenting a positive image of the council is secondary goal."

McKay, who said yesterday he quit the council last year because of "grid-lock," said that holding a campus wide election for the chair would go a long way towards improve the group's image.

"Eighty eight people shouldn't be the only ones deciding who the chair should be," said McKay, a Kirkland House resident. "The best way to represent the students and improve our image is by giving them a direct voice."

In his closing statements, McKay promised to schedule a popular election of council chair on November 3, if elected this Sunday.

On the issue of date rape, Duncan and Heinicke defended last year's council's advisory role, saying that the definition of date rape has a great impact on student life.

But McKay said he did not believe the council is qualified to comment on legal issues.

"We are not lawyers. We shouldn't be directing University policy of law," said McKay.

Duncan was quick to respond, however. "The AdBoard is not composed of lawyers either," he said.

Duncan criticized Heinicke for his handling oflast week's council elections and questioned theformer vice chair's ability to lead.

"[Heinicke's leadership] is reflected in hisinability to conduct the council's elections thissemester," said Duncan. "The past elections werethe worst in my years here."

Duncan also said that Heinicke, seeking supportfor his chair race, encouraged many of his friendsto run for the council and did not publicize theelection sufficiently throughout campus.

In return, Heinicke criticized Duncan forleveling what Heinicke called personal attacks.

"The attacks on me are prettyun-substantiated," said Heinicke. "It is sad that[attacks] begin 10 minutes into the debate, but Iwon't return fire."

In the debate last night, sponsored by TheCrimson, each candidate delivered two minutestatements at the beginning and end of the event.The candidates also fielded questions fromreporters representing. The Crimson, The HarvardIndependent and The Salient