Shortly before Jiang's limousine and escort passed through the tunnel by Memorial Hall, protesters burned a People's Republic of China flag to the cheers of many onlookers.

Harvard anti-Jiang activists, joining the strong opposition to the Chinese president's visit around the country, presented a united front of rebellion to the Asian president's visit. Representatives from 11 Boston and Harvard organizations--including Harvard Students for a Free Tibet, the Harvard branch of Amnesty International and the Free Burma Group--met to draw out plans in late October.

Even the Undergraduate Council spoke out against Jiang's visit, voting to support the student groups which were against the suppression of human rights in mainland China, Taiwan and Tibet and condemning China's "countless abuses of basic human rights."

"It is neither responsible or responsive for [the council] to refrain from debate on this issue," said Lamelle D. Rawlins '99, council president at the time.

Many students say Harvard was able to present an uncharacteristically united front on the issue of human rights in China. While some students supported Jiang and his policies, the majority of student groups disapproved of the warm welcome University administrators provided.

"There are times when we have to band together in a common cause," said Kevin A. Shapiro '99, editor of The Salient, in a May interview. "In protesting Jiang's visit, we had conservative student groups like The Salient joined with groups like Amnesty International. It was useful and productive."

Cable TV or Human Rights?

Self-interest found its way into this year's race for council offices as Stewart and Samuel C. Cohen '00, current council vice president, baited students with "Larry King Live," "The Real World" and "South Park." The students bit.

Their December campaign hinged on student life concerns, such as getting cable TV for students. They turned the tide of the council, creating a shift from the ideological crusades of Rawlins and her predecessors.

"[The vote] represents the fact that some things need to change and that we're going to change them," Stewart said at the time of her election. In electing Stewart by the slim margin of 45 votes, students abandoned the liberal and idealistic crusades traditionally identified with college students for a more pragmatic approach.

"I do think in some ways it shows the student body wants us to focus on things that make a day-to-day difference," Cohen said following the election.

But others say the council elections cannot serve as a litmus test for campus activism because many students--whether or not they support activism--simply do not view the council as political organ.

Culinary Contention

While the council may not incite campus debate, fruit does.

In November 1997, students voted to return grapes to the dining halls. In 1992 students had demanded an HDS moratorium on the purchase of table grapes following a nation-wide boycott inspired by union leader Cesar Chavez.