As a first-year member on the Undergraduate Council, John A. Burton '01 often took attendance at the council's meetings, using the chance to check off members at the door as a way to learn their names and make connections.

But when Burton takes the roll at council meetings this semester--two months into his term as vice president--his calls for silence are often met by rolled eyes and snickers, and his every misstep is carefully documented by council opponents.

At the council's April 9 meeting, for example, a group of members challenged Burton for sloppy record-keeping.

The council postponed its business for more than 30 minutes to debate allowing C. Jonathan Gattman '03--a member who Burton had expelled that night for missed meetings--to vote at that meeting.

The group claimed Burton had given Gattman inadequate notice that he was in jeopardy of expulsion. And by a narrow margin in a formal roll-call vote, the council rebuffed Burton and decided to let the ex-member vote.

Still, that council members challenge Burton over attendance issues is not unprecedented--complaints about the attendance-taking skills of council vice presidents have long been part of group politics.

Former Vice President Kamil E. Redmond '00 did a poor job keeping the council's attendance, says council Secretary Sterling P.A. Darling '01.

But Darling says her good standing with the entire council meant few people made an issue out of her negligence.