It wasn't your typical meeting between concerned students and a high-ranking dean.

A group of 20 delegates from the Undergraduate Council sat in the comfortable chairs of Ticknor Lounge last night as they fired questions at Associate Dean of Harvard College David P. Illingworth '71. The mood was casual, the questions were informal. Illingworth wore a sweater vest.

And there was no set agenda. Instead, the discussion flitted from students' concerns about improving the facilities at the Malkin Athletic Center (MAC) to the future of undergraduate programs formerly administered by Radcliffe College.

The meeting began when Illingworth emphasized how seriously he takes student opinions, saying, "I hope you'll teach me how to do this job."

Students had some suggestions ready. Raising questions about why Harvard chooses to spend its money on buildings and structural improvements, they said undergraduates should reap more benefits from Harvard's hefty endowment.

Illingworth assured them that he wants to get more student input on spending choices.

"I want to get myself on to some of the committees that are talking about buildings. If I can get myself on, then maybe I can get some students on [those committees] too," he said.

Students also said they want to see more undergraduate delegates at faculty committee meetings, so students can have a voice in the decisions that affect their academic and residential lives.