The Undergraduate Council Sunday night passed a resolution 45-13 to use a $15,000 gift from Harvard Dining Services to sponsor a spring concert by the band A Tribe Called Quest.

Dining Services gave the funds to the council after finalizing a deal with PepsiCo that allocates additional funding for student initiatives.

Proponents of the bill said this unexpected windfall would make possible an event they have been wanting to do for a long time.

"This is the next step in building our credibility," said council veteran Rudd W. Coffey '97. "We don't have many things that bring 2,000 students together. This will provide a sense of community. This is our mission on campus."

Although the money has been formally allocated, the council does not yet have a commitment from A Tribe Called Quest or a place or date for the concert.

The resolution is also contingent on either a check or written confirmation from Director of Dining Services Michael P. Berry, director of Dining Services.

A vocal minority of the council, however, opposed the bill, objecting to spending the money without proper consideration of other possible uses or ethical implications.

Council members did not have a chance to consider the bill before the meeting, as the bill's sponsors received confirmation that the money would be available only during the meeting.

"I object to passing the largest spending bill we've had all year at 11 p.m. on a night when we barely have quorum," said council member Marco B. Simons '97. "It seems rash for the council to make such a decision at this time."

Other council members thought the money could be used in better ways.

"Wouldn't it be great to build up a slush fund in case we lose money on an event?" said Stephen E. Weinberg '99. "If we want future councils to have safeties so they can have these kinds of events, we need to look at saving money."

Some members were also concerned about accepting money from PepsiCo, which invests in countries with questionable human rights records.

Simons said he believes that part of PepsiCo's motive for the gift was "to buy [the council's] silence."

In other business, the council decided to sponsor two social events, Skate Night and Casino Night.

Skate Night would open Bright Hockey Center for a recreational skating event.