It doesn't take long for revolutions to become institutions, and the Undergraduate Council's recent upheaval is no exception.

Last fall's showdown for the council presidency, in which Beth A. Stewart '00 defeated more liberal challengers Jobe G. Danganan '99 and Benjamin W. Hulse '99, marked an ideological shift for the council.

A look at some of the council's youngest members reveals how ingrained Stewart's message has become in one short semester. While widely different in their aims and outlooks, four first-year representatives are alike in their support for the council's new direction.

The "Fun" in Funding

For Alison F. Egan '01, the most rewarding moment of her council career was a simple dinner meeting with a new student group.

Egan interviewed the fledgling Students for the Exploration and Discovery of Space and ultimately argued their first grant request, winning badly-needed funds for the start-up group.

"They were so appreciative," she said. "It's a really nice feeling, and it's also an important responsibility."

Egan, a native of Scarsdale, N. Y., is vice-chair of the council finance committee and unofficial chair of the council's first-year caucus, which is responsible for the first-year concentration fair and formal.

While Egan feels that there is a clear difference between political factions on the council, she said the ideological gap on the council doesn't prevent members from finding common ground.

"There is a division between those who vote along conservative lines and liberal ones, but I don't think that's impeded any function of the council," she says. "I like the workings of the U. C. better now, but I wouldn't classify myself as a very conservative person."

Egan said that if she is re-elected next year she will continue to focus on improving the finance committee's operations and make meetings more fun. She has no current plans for higher office.

"You can make a lot of difference no matter what you're doing," she says.

On the Job

Quantity may not equal quality, but Sterling P. A. Darling "01 doesn't seem to think so. His council schedule sometimes consumes 20 hours a week. Why devote the time?

"I enjoy being able to see the administration and its policies up close," Darling says. "I'm very interested in Harvard, not just as a school, but as a University."