Four sophomores were elected to chair the Undergraduate Council's three committees this week, promising a renewed focus on the Core, grants for student organizations and key-card access.

The Student Affairs Committee, the Campus Life Committee and the Finance Committee each selects its own chair, who sits on the executive board and sets the agenda for the coming year.

Eric M. Nelson '99 was elected as chair and Robert B. Wolinsky '98-'97 as vice-chair of the Student Affairs Committee on Tuesday night at the Science Center.

The Student Affairs Committee handles much of the council's interaction with the administration, particularly on academic issues.

The chairs have significant freedom in deciding what issues to focus on and "they can really set an agenda of their own to pursue," said Lamelle D. Rawlins '99, vice president of the council.

Nelson, who is a Crimson editor, said he would focus on making the council's voice heard in the Faculty's ongoing review of the Core Curriculum.

"We're going to try to use the report on student undergraduate requirements and Core requirements to write and pass a group of recommendations on the Core," Nelson said. "We will bring them to the full council probably by the end of next month."

Nelson also plans to continue initiatives from last year to improve campus security and acquire continuous key-card access to the houses for all students.

The Campus Life Committee's elections were held on Wednesday. Tally Zingher '99 was re-elected as one of the co-chairs; Joseph A. Sena '99, a Crimson editor, was chosen as the other. The vice-chair this semester will be Catherine D. Rucker '99.

The Campus Life Committee organizes social events, such as concerts, festivals and comedy shows.

The new co-chairs could not be reached for comment last night.

Stephen E. Weinberg '99 was elected as chair of the Finance Committee and Pia A. Menezes '98 as vice-chair on Thursday night at the council's office.

The finance committee will distribute $36,000 in grants to student organizations this semester.

"This year I think they're continuing to work to improve the process [of allocating grants]. The Finance Committee is the link between the U.C. and all student groups," said Clay M. West '97, a former council member who was last year's Finance Committee chair.

Council President Robert M. Hyman '98-'97 said he hopes to appoint the executive board positions of press and publicity liaison, technology coordinator, executive assistant, parliamentarian and intercollegiate liaison before tomorrow's council meeting.

In addition, Hyman will appoint people to the cabinet, a new system of directors designed "to better serve students in making sure different issues are addressed," Rawlins said.

The cabinet will consist of directors of campus safety, gender issues, minority students' concerns, educational issues, public spaces and services, privacy issues, student group support, advising and counseling issues, social responsibilities and student government responsiveness.

The new cabinet has come under criticism from those who say that Hyman and Rawlins are unnecessarily expanding the council's bureaucracy to enhance their own power.