Gaard's effort is not the first attempt to organize women on the council, as a women's caucus led by Nicola A. McKinney '99 was formed last spring. Though many people came to the first several meetings, council members quickly lost interest.

"We discussed personal things, the role of women on the U.C. and problems that we might face," McKinney says.

"After they addressed these issues a little bit they felt like they should do new stuff."

McKinney says the caucus' mission was to make women feel comfortable participating in the council.

Last year's caucus focused more on women "on the council whereas Colleen [Gaard] has made it her goal to reach out to women not on the council," Stewart says.

Council men are generally positive about the new caucus.

"The guys aren't like, `Oh no we don't want campus safety!'" says council Vice President Samuel C. Cohen '00. "I don't see it as being a divisive thing."

But the spirit of unity is the most important goal of the caucus.

"Men can be representative of women as well," Barber says, but adds that the caucus can encourage council women to pursue theirs.

It was this spirit that brought this spring's high numbers.

"When I first began I went to a lot of the recruiting meetings," says Alison F. Egan '01, a council member. She says the meeting made it seem like council women had a united front.

Indeed increased direction can only help women voices. "The more issues there are that relate to women, the more women that will become involved," Cheuse says.