Justin A. Barkley '02 wants the Undergraduate Council to return to its Seton roots.

He says the council actually accomplished things when, under former council President Noah Z. Seton '00, it focused strictly on student services rather than politics.

But under the leadership of council President Fentrice D. Driskell '01, he says the council has tried to balance political activism with student services -and made little headway in either direction.

And in a crowded race for control of the council, Barkely and running mate Adam M. Johnson '02 are hoping that sticking to student services and fiscal responsibility will help carry them to the top of a talented pool of candidates.

Barkley advocates improving campus social life by decentralizing the Council's role. He wants to give more support to House Committees and create a similar body for first-years--all in the belief that the most effective planning occurs on the small group level.

He contrasts the failure of last year's council-organized St. Patrick's Day Dance and DJ Spinoff with the success of independent House events like the Adams Masquerade and Leverett '80s Dance.

He also targets the Council's execution of annual events like Springfest--questioning the practice of spending $20,000 of a $30,000 Springfest budget on attracting a big-name band.

"If we had student bands, people would have just as good a time, and we could do it twice a year," said Barkley.