Harvard's school spirit, or lack thereof, dominated debate at last night's Undergraduate Council meeting.

In a marathon meeting in which they discussed almost a dozen items on their docket, council members passed resolutions to create a new school mascot, to sponsor a spirit week preceding the Harvard-Yale football game and to fund a tailgate party at The Game.

In addition, the council passed two constitutional amendments, one which will allow more members to serve on the council's Finance Committee and another which will refund the council's entire term bill fee of $20 to students who request it.

Currently, students may check a box on the termbill asking for a refund, but they are only refunded $16.67. To receive the additional amount, students must write a letter to the Office of the Dean of Students explaining why they are withholding their contributions.

Council members said last night that they are no longer worried refunding the entire sum would hurt the council's finances.

Last night's resolution, which was proposed by council reformers and defeated several times in recent years, will allow the full amount to be refunded by simply checking a box on the term-bill. The decision must now be approved by College administrators.

The council also voted last night to hold a campus wide forum on Core reform and another one to support an ethnic studies conference being sponsored by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations.

Another bill, sponsored by council member Mary I. Naber '98, calls for the council to pressure the Metro District Commissioner of Massachusetts to place a pedestrian crossing sign at the intersection of John I. Kennedy Street and Soldiers Field Road, across from the gates to the athletic complex Naber said she and others have seen several students hit by cars at that intersection.

After lengthy debate, the council decided to pursue a new mascot design which would embody the spirit of the "Crimson" name.

Many council members objected to last year's effort to create an "Angry Pilgrim" mascot designed in the image of John Harvard, saving it links the University with its white male past.

At The Game Last year. Campus Life Committee Co-chair Rudd W. Coffey '97 dressed as the "Angry Pilgrim" and received what he called "mixed reviews."

This year's mascot, as yet undefined, is to be a more abstract representation of school spirit.

The council also allotted $1,500 to provide a tent and music for a tailgate party at The Game, where council members will serve food to Harvard students free of charge.

Jenn R. Dean '96 and Tally Zingher '99 sponsored a resolution for a "Spirit Week," to take place the week before The Game.

Each day that week students will be encouraged to dress in accordance with themes, which will be decided later. Suggested themes included cross-dressing day, international day and super-heroes day. $50 was allocated for prizes to be awarded for the best costumes.

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