There were echoes of the Undergraduate Council's progressive past as well as predictions for a less political future at last night's meeting.

But for all the pleas from council leaders calling for a renewed focus on student services, the council still passed--by a single vote--a divestment bill, encouraging the University to sever ties with companies with a history of human rights and environmental violations.

The legislation specifically cites companies such as Exxon, Chevron and Mobil.

The 90-minute debate took place in Boylston Hall's cafe, after the council found its regular meeting room occupied by a Harvard Extension School class. The bill's sponsors said Harvard should send a message to these corporations while opponents of the bill voiced their doubts that divestment would be effective.

"Harvard invests over $100 million in these corporations... it's a strong, clear message. It's worked before, and it can work here," said Shai M. Sachs '01, a co-sponsor of the bill.

Sachs, who is also a Crimson editor, cited successful divestment campaigns that resulted in Pepsi-Co and Texaco in ceasing operations in Burma.

Shauna L. Shames '01, another co-sponsor of the bill, said the legislation fulfills the call issued by Council President Noah Z. Seton '00 to increase the council's focus on student services.

"There's a very clear connection here to student services," she said. "This is not some symbolic gesture. This is not some random progressive cause."

Shana M. Starobin '00 said she attended the meeting as part of a larger group supporting the bill, although the group's members do not serve on the council. She said the student body is in favor of the issue.