"Ethnic Studies Action Coalition and the [Progressive Students' Labor Movement] will address progressive issues more fully than the U.C. ever can," Redmond said.

So, despite the potential conflict between Seton's reputation of spearheading projects like "fly-by" lunches and Redmond's history of progressivisms, their campaign strongly emphasized student services.

"These are the types of issues that we have worked on...and that I feel the council should spend most of its time on," Seton said last month, referring to current projects like the student center campaign, investigations into University Health Services and negotiations for lower telephone rates.

The Great Divide

However, recent legislation such as the same-sex marriage bill and a recent bill affirming a student's right to free speech are eating up council minutes. And Redmond and Seton are beginning to conflict on whether it's a positive trend.

The most visible split between them occurred during discussion of a recent billsupporting same-sex marriage. In a vote laternullified, Seton broke a tie by voting against thelegislation. Redmond was a cosponsor of the bill.

Asked about her support of the politicallegislation, Redmond said she felt it belonged onthe docket.

"I think both of us see the council as animportant force for student change...I have alarger view of what student change means," shesaid.

"There are students that are interested inSpringfest and student services. Then there arepeople who are interested in political bills thatcall for the U.C. to take a stand on a politicalissue," she added.

But Seton is less than thrilled with thereopened progressive scope.

"Members flood the general meetings withlegislation that can only accomplish any thing (ifit even does that) by setting out a council-widepolitical 'stance' on an issue," he wrote in ane-mail message. "I think we'd serve the studentsbetter by...lobbying on specific issues thataffect the Harvard life of Harvard students."

"I do think we need to readjust our focus andput double effort and concentration on the issuesthat we can facilitate change on, " he added.

Seton said he hopes to accomplish this in hisaddress tonight.

Constituents are apparently noticing thedisparity between campaign promises and recentcouncil activity.

John I. Nevin '01 said he e-mailed Redmond, oneof his Pforzheimer House representatives,frustrated that she had promoted progressivelegislation despite her campaign platform.

"The Undergraduate Council's role is torepresent our needs to the administration," hesaid in an interview. "We have the [Institute ofPolitics], the College Democrats andRepublicans... and I believe that outside politicsis their job."