Seton predicted Dunster will fill its five seats as the year progresses, through write-ins and votes for last-minute entry Chad A. Wathington '00.

Wathington could not be reached for comment last night.

Like Seton, Council Treasurer Sterling P.A. Darling '01 pointed to "large interest" in the council, describing this as "one of the more competitive years" in council history despite the lack of Dunster representatives.

Just over 80 students are competing for 78 spots, but a majority of the students running are first-years. Several Houses, including Currier, Eliot, Leverett and Winthrop, have fewer than five students running for five or more spots.

Chernoff suggested that upperclass students might lose interest in the council when they realize they are not likely to see the fruits of their labors. "It's high investment, low return," he said.

And even the best efforts of the U.C.'s Election Commission are failing to rouse interest. Despite the commission's tabling and postering, few upperclass students were aware that council elections began yesterday, and still fewer can name their representatives.

"I don't think this is okay," said former Dunster representative Ann E. Schneider '99-'00. "Maybe there should have been more advertising, or I should have done something."