But Robert B. Wolinsky '98-'97 said the unwillingness of administrators to listen creates the need for a formal process.

"If certain administrative figures become more interested in students rather than just giving them a perfunctory thought, maybe we wouldn't need the Grimmelmann-Nelson act," Wolinsky said.

But Blais said he thinks there are still advantages to the bill.

"At least this way we get a specific reaction from the dean. Before, our legislation had a tendency to float and die," Blais said.

In a Feb. 26 letter sent by Lewis to to council President Robert M. Hyman '98-'97, Lewis urged the council to engage in early and frequent dialogue with the administration.

"I have repeatedly urged student leaders to consult me and other deans early and often, rather than coming up with ideas and committing them to words in relative isolation," Lewis wrote.

James T. Grimmelmann '99-'98, co-author of the bill, says the problems with its implementation have been Lewis' or the council's fault.

"We operate very openly with an eye towards direct communication. We're not afraid to bring out into the open an issue that will divide us," Grimmelmann said. "The college administration operates on a consensus system.... When they actually enter a meeting they already know what's going to happen."

"We are trying to bring two fairly divergent systems together, so there are going to be bumps at first," Grimmelmann added.

Lewis also said that student-faculty committees such as College Life, House Life and Undergraduate Education are valuable resources for student input