Do the words "free fried dough" conjure up thoughts of mouth-watering pleasure?

Students who are fans of the tasty snack will have their fair share come April.

The Undergraduate Council voted last night to add $300 to its Springfest budget to fund the purchase of fried dough.

That money was part of an $8,000 allotment for the April 26 event approved by the council last night.

"It's the students money, and we should give it back to the students," said Catherine D. Rucker '99, a council representative. "My constituents like fried dough."

But the fried dough amendment did not pass without opposition.

Representative Michael A. O'Mary '99 proposed that the entire food budget, $750, be dropped in favor of a menu provided by Harvard Dining Services (HDS).

"There was plenty of food at HYPE," O'Mary said of the HDS-catered event. "I think we could possibly offer a cost savings measure."

Many council representatives rejected this idea because they said the free popcorn, sno-cones and cotton candy are an important part of Springfest.

"Last year, just to see peoples' faces light up when they saw the cotton candy, I think it's worth it," said Tally Zingher '99, a council representative. "It's what we should be doing at the U.C."

The $300 addition for fried dough brings the entire event's budget to $16,250, including the $8,250 previously allocated to fund the band, God Street Wine.

The budget for this year's Springfest is "a little bit less than last year because of financial constraints," Rucker said.

Representatives also discussed cutting the council's ties to the Ivy Council (I.C.) at last night's meeting.

The I.C. is a body composed of representatives from each of the Ivy League student councils which meets several times a year. In its most recent meeting, the I.C. voted to condemn U.S. News and World Report's college ranking.

"The Ivy Council is a whole bunch of sour grapes that are just rotting there," said Adam S. Vaina '97, a council representative.