"We should delight in our differences, as they exist, that make us a stronger and broader party," Williams said.

Boyle said she was optimistic that the decision will not deter membership.

"If someone calls themself a Republican and is truly devoted to upholding those views and dedicating themselves to Republican and conservative ideals on campus, they won't be deterred from joining the club as a new member or continuing to participate in the Republican Club," Boyle said.

But former club president and prochoice member Emil G. Michael '94 spoke of the aliensting forces of such a decision. "If you want me to be welcome in this party, you'll vote against this resolution," he told members before the vote.

"We've worked to build the future of the Republican club. We're not a static club. We've gone to the future, and now this element is trying to take us back to the past," Michael said.

Last night's meeting was the club's first since February 9, at which Brown introduced a different anti-abortion proposal.

That original proposal went beyond the wording of the national party platform and thus would have required a two-thirds majority vote. But a quorum was not present to vote on Brown's motion.

To prevent interest groups from packing the vote in anticipation of the anti-abortion proposal, the club's executive officers limited participation to members who had paid their dues by February 9