By contrast, the student body might never vote to raise the term bill, Lewis explained Monday, because of students' "equivocal confidence" in the council and their unwillingness to pay more money. A student referendum to raise the term bill fee to $50 narrowly failed last December.

"There's a sentiment out there that they shouldn't have to pay more than the $30,000-plus they're already paying," he said.

The council's funding problem is already serious enough, he said, that he would be willing to take blame for the unilateral increase, although he only plans to ask for a fee of $30 to $40.

But Lewis cautioned that he will not press forward with the issue if there is "massive resentment" among the student body.

"I don't want to sit in my office and get pounded day after day," he said.

While the College has increased student group funding through University-controlled resources--like grants through the Ann Radcliffe Trust and the Office of the Arts--Lewis said he wants to see more money directly controlled by undergraduates.

"The gradual process through which we have been going, of upping other University grant funds, results in a loss of student autonomy," he wrote

. --Staff writer Garrett M. Graff can be reached at ggraff@fas.harvard.edu.