Last night's Graduate student Council (GSC) elaction marked the end of an era Carlos Lopez, a graduate student in the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies, astepped down after six years on the council-- four as the group's pesident.

His successsor, Ian Richmond, agraduate student in the Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures, was the council's vice president i 1998-99. Richmomd was one of two nominees for the office athough his competitor stepped down before a formal election.

"We haven't had a real election in years," Lopez quipped.

About 30 student attened the council's annual election in Lehman Hall.

The president -elect said he anticipated a busy year with the council.

"I'm looking forward to it, tocontinuing the work we did last year," Richmond said.

Richmond specifically empasized his dedication to seeking better Faculty advising for graduate students.

In the wake of a number of graduate student suicides in the past few years, national media and university have turned attention to an advising system accused of overworking graduate students and giving them insufficient time with their supervisors.

The council, which is composed of delegates from each academic department and operates with an annual budget of more than $ 40,000, has a number of duties.

In addition to the Graduate Student Life Commitee, which focuses on student service and resembles the Undergraduate Council, the GSC also represents al members of the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) in negotiations with the University.

Perennial initiatives have included a works for better financial support, transportation, access to athletic facilities, improved Faculty mentoring and campus safety and security.

In addition, the council has regular meeting with President Neil L.Rudenstine, GSAS Dean Christoph J. Wolff and other University administrators.

"It's nice to get to know the deans of the ... school on a more personal basis," Lopez said.