The victory of Robert M. Hyman '98 and Lamelle D. Rawlins '99 in the first-ever popular elections for Undergraduate Council officers was supposed to signal the advent of a "New Undergraduate Council."
And although elections are still two weeks away, the shape of this new council is already beginning to take form. Council insiders predict, among other trends, the diminished role of one of last year's most prominent council factions--the Progressive Undergraduate Council Coalition (PUCC)--due to a diminished numbers of returning PUCC representatives.
In preparation for the upcoming elections, approximately 80 students Hyman spoke to the council hopefuls about his agenda for the coming year, citing issues such as race relations, women's concerns, campus safety and Core reform as ones he hopes to work on in the coming year. These issues were outlined last spring in Hyman and Rawlins' campaign platform, "A Student's Bill of Rights." "I have a real agenda and I plan to work to implement that as much as possible," Hyman said. Several first-years who are considering running said they wanted to join the council to continue their political activism and to make improvements in student life at Harvard. "Even though I've only been here for a few weeks, I've definitely noticed there are some things that can be improved," Katheryn M. Hayes '00 said. Some changes Hayes would like to see include improvements in Yard lighting and increased library and dinner hours. The potential influx of new blood seems likely among upperclass students as well as incoming first-years. Many of last year's active members will not be returning. One effect of this turnover is that PUCC and Harvard Students First (HSF), two opposing factions on the council last year, will probably not be powerful forces on this year's council, members of both groups predicted. "There wasn't much consensus to organize PUCC this year," said Eric D. Albert '98, a former council member who was active in PUCC last year. "Many PUCC members feel that its goals were accomplished last year," he said, citing the popular election of Hyman and Rawlins and what he felt was a turn toward a more liberal bent on the council. Many active leaders have graduated or have other commitments, said Albert, who will not be running himself. Eric M. Nelson '99, a Crimson editor who is one of the founders of Harvard Students First (HSF), the council group formed to oppose PUCC last year, also said the group would not be formally organized this year. Many HSF members have also decided not to run. The disappearance of organized factions would help increase council productivity, Hyman said. "There will definitely still be spirited debates and major differences of opinion," Hyman said. "But as long as people are respectful and always remember that all of us together is what can make a real change, then I think this year is extraordinarily promising." The elections are scheduled for October 2-4. Candidates can begin campaigning on September 27
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