The candidates for president and vice president of the Undergraduate Council have adorned their posters and campaign fliers with comprehensive and impressive-sounding lists of achievements on the council.

But as voting season began yesterday, the candidates accused each other of taking credit for council accomplishments in which they played merely a tangential role.

The strongest vitriol has been aimed at candidate and current President Robert M. Hyman '98-'97, the clear leader in the field, according to a Crimson poll conducted over the weekend.

One of the accomplishments listed most proudly on Hyman's campaign posters is receiving the "first public reaffirmation" from Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles of Harvard's commitment to need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid.

Knowles himself, however, disagreed.

"Certainly NOT the first time," Knowles said in a written statement last night. "It may be the first time the [council] has heard it, but I've said it to [literally] thousands of alumni, and to the Faculty, and will, I'm sure, say it--often--again!"

Hyman also took credit on campaign posters for working to restore federal financial aid cuts.

One campaign flyer reports that "Rob and [running mate] Lamelle [D. Rawlins '99] supported a financial aid phone bank and rally in the fall."

In fact, Hyman didn't even attend an October 31 statewide rally for financial aid in Boston. And Hyman played no part in the council's drive to encourage students to telephone their representatives in Congress, charged council Treasurer Edward B. Smith III '97, another presidential candidate.

"I thought of, sponsored and managed the phone bank over two days," Smith said. "I don't recall seeing Rob there. If he was there, it was only for a moment. It's ridiculous to me how he can cite that."

Hyman said he has supported financial aid efforts within the council. He also pointed out that Rawlins did attend the rally and said she has also helped with financial aid efforts.

Smith also accused Hyman of taking credit for financial reforms that Smith himself had initiated as treasurer.

One of Hyman's campaign posters reads: "Rob, last year as chair of the grants process and this year as Presi- dent of the New UC, has ensured the financial accountability of the Council."

This is untrue, Smith said.

"Other than voting for it, it's unclear to me what Rob did to warrant placing it on his poster," said Smith, who placed third in The Crimson's weekend poll.

Hyman denied that he was taking undue credit.