"I might not be bringing specific legislation to the council as yet, but I'm still working on these issues as Undergraduate Council vice president," she adds.

Despite the initial absence of progressive proposals on the council leadership's agenda, some social activists have high hopes that those topics will emerge there eventually.

"I haven't heard any official statement from Kamil of her progressive platform, but I'm secretly hoping that she'll bring it out once her term officially begins," Danganan says. "I'm really hoping she'll bring back the fervor of social action from Lamelle's days."

Redmond says social activists can bring legislation to the council themselves.

"I as a figure am very welcoming to those issues," she says. In contrast, she says, last year "It appeared that progressive issues were not welcome."

Sachs says the progressive caucus on the council intends to bring more legislation this term, including resolutions supporting affirmative action and gay rights.

Council leadership "seems a bit more tolerant of progressive issues, Kamil in particular," says Sachs, who is also a Crimson editor. But he adds, "I don't think they themselves will be the catalyzing force for change."

Others see the prospects for liberal activism in the council's rank-and-file membership.

"I think there are more active progressives on the council than there were last year," says John A. Burton '01. "I don't know how the council administration under Noah Seton is going to perceive progressivism. I imagine that it will be the same."

Burton ran for council president as a [progressive candidate and placed third.

Campus Superstars?

Some students hope the energetic Redmond will reinvigorate the vice presidency.

"She might be a little more outspoken than I was," says Cohen--once called "the most invisible man on campus" in a Crimson editorial.

"On the council this year, the leadership has almost faded away," Danganan adds. "I think (the vice presidency) will be elevated to a more powerful, outspoken position."

"I'm very vocal," agrees Redmond. "I'm loud, and people know I'm loud."