But Marshall, the measure's chief advocate, drew the line when David C. Rennard '03 asked Marshall to raise that amount so that the council could say it gave "over $100,000" in student grants.

In the end, Marshall's plan failed narrowly, 19-22, and the council allocated only about $96,000 for student grants. The council also cut the committee fund by about $7,000 from last year.

The other major debate last night focused on whether the council should grant an exemption to the attendance policy for members who attend the council lock-in, an all-night bonding experience planned for early next month.

Under the proposed plan, members would be granted a waiver for one absence from a regular meeting if they attended the lock-in.

"It's like taking a day off of work, and then getting paid to go to the company picnic," council secretary John F. Bash '03 said.

Eventually, the council decided to allow the waiver.

The council's new fiscal responsibility could be seen later in the night's last order of business, when after passing a bill setting up the council lock-in, President Fentrice D. Driskell '01 asked each member to bring a dollar to defray expenses.