The apparent split in campus opinion led HDS to postpone its decision to bring back grapes and allow the campus to decide the fate of grapes in the dining halls.

Known as the "Great Grape Referendum," the vote was finally held on Dec. 3, 1997.

The controversy spurred a great deal of campus activity during the fall as students rallied into pro and anti-grape factions.

The Grape Coalition, chaired by Adam R. Kovacevich '99, was created to support the repeal of the boycott. Existing organizations such as the Progressive Student Labor Movement and Harvard-Radcliffe RAZA led concerted efforts against the repeal.

Kovacevich, whose family owns a grape farm in Calif., told The Crimson in 1997 that he was pleased with the campus vote to uphold HDS's decision.

"I don't think a yes vote was a sign of Harvard students turning their back on farm workers," Kovacevich said in 1997. "[Students] are tired of being force-fed ideologies."

Sergio J. Campos '00, president of RAZA during the grape dispute said he took comfort in knowing students were concerned with worker conditions in California, though the campus decision showed otherwise.