But while he said that "student voice is definitely going to be heard" on the subject of splitting up usable space, he said he is "not sure" how such a process will work. Illingworth said he could not guarantee students will sit on the committee he plans to form.

While Driskell and others hope for direct representation, they also acknowledge the council cannot make demands on administrators without doing its homework.

"The most important thing is to find out what students and student groups need," said Darling.

Most council leaders, however, said they believed there is a more pressing need for offices and meeting places for student groups.

"A place where students can go to work is more important than a place they can go to chill," said council member Todd E. Plants '01.

But those leaders admit the structure--which has long been used as a social club and theater--is not presently set up to accommodate offices. And Driskell and Illingworth both acknowledged they have not explored the entire building yet.

In addition, other council members have said they would like the building to provide students with additional social space.

Driskell, for example, said she would like to see a big-screen TV, some couches and a cafe in the building.