Amidst a sea of campaign supporters--some sporting yellow bandanas in solidarity with their candidates--contenders for the Undergraduate Council's presidency and vice presidency held forth on old-standby issues of student voice and council legitimacylast night.

There was almost no direct confrontation between candidates at the debate, as they articulated their own platforms but never commented on their opponents'.

Throughout the hour-and-a-half forum, which was split evenly between the vice presidential and presidential debates, candidates charged that the University administration has largely ignored the lives of its undergraduates.

"The recent renovations to the Memorial Hall tower are evidence of the fact that the University is spending all around us," said council Treasurer Sterling P. A. Darling '01, who hopes the proposed term bill increase will boost student group treasuries. "Unfortunately, all around us isn't good enough."

Changing the "sink-or-swim" atmosphere of the College--both in advising and in social life--took center stage for most of the candidates, who differed primarily in their suggested approaches to the problem.

"Harvard has it all, but it's not all there for students," said vice presidential candidate Benjamin M. Wikler '03, who said the council should focus on bringing both "big and small" amenities--like rock concerts and two-ply toilet paper--to students.

With their yellow bandana-clad supporters cheering them on, Fentrice D. Driskell '01 and John A. Burton'01 touted their core campaign theme--student surveys and feedback cards to give students a forum to express themselves.

"It's about making Harvard a better place," Driskell said. "To do that, you have to assess the student voice."