This is the second time that Seton has flip-flopped about the proper forum to decide whether the term bill fee ought to be increased. Last year, he said it would be unfair for the council to pass such legislation unilaterally.

"It'd be easy for us to pass a term bill increase right here [in council]," Seton said last March. "I don't think that would be fair to the student body."

This year, he said it was impractical to do it any other way, but then ended up voting against his own legislation last night.

Rollert said Seton's willingness to admit that he was wrong demonstrates a maturity that ought to be applauded.

"[Seton] decided not to go out with guns blazing. He realized that the better point had been brought forward," Rollert said.

The Battle is Only Beginning

The larger issue--whether the term bill should be increased, and if so, where the money will go--is likely to be a major issue in this year's presidential campaigns.

"I don't think any serious candidate will be opposed to [the increase]," said Paul A. Gusmorino '02, "but there will be opposition about whether the money should go to student groups, or to the council for Springfest-type things, or some other clever idea that hasn't been thought of."