But where Epps sees competition, Lewis sees cooperation.

"Defining needs and comparing them is a collegial, collaborative process designed to yield informed and rational decisions," Lewis says. "[It is] not some sort of power game that depends critically on what committees anyone is a member of."

For example, although Lewis is not a member of a year-old committee University President Neil L. Rudenstine convened last spring to discuss space issues throughout the University, he does not see this as a harmful oversight.

And while Illingworth took over much of Epps' responsibilities, he is not a member of the committee on College life--a committee whose meetings Epps faithfully attended.

Still, College administrators say they do not feel overlooked. When Knowles does undertake an undergraduate-oriented project--like last fall's increase in financial aid--one committee alone cannot be credited for bringing the issue to his attention.

"There were many interested parties who advised Dean Knowles on this . . . But it wasn't a collective or consensus decision or a decision taken by a committee," Lewis says.

"It was Dean Knowles who recognized, as a result of his continual contact with all of us who work with undergraduate affairs, that this was an important issue," he adds. "It was ultimately his decision what to do about it."