“The purpose of this motion is when there is a very vocal minority and the temporary majority is doing something contrary to the will of the council,” Lurie said.

In addition to excluding position papers, the council also approved an amendment that binds the council not to ask the College for an increase more than equal to inflation if the referendum fails.

“I think its very important for the council to stand behind its referendum,” said Joshua A. Barro ’05, who authored the amendment.

Barro’s amendment specified that the council could not ask for an fee increase greater than inflation as indicated by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Teddy E. Chestnut ’06 questioned why Barro chose the CPI as opposed to another index such as the Gross Domestic Product Deflator or the Higher Education Price Index.

“I’m not sure why you would choose one over the other,” said Chestnut. “They measure different things.”

The council eventually voted to remove the specificity and leave the index choice up to the College administration.

Members also voted that if the referendum fails, the council can retroactively request an increase in inflation since 2001—the last time the fee was raised.

While there was some talk by council members about whether the legislation would bind future councils, it was eventually agreed upon by both sides that it would have no legal binding, but instead serve only as a “moral guide.”

In other business, the council voted to change the date of Junior Night from this Wednesday to next Wednesday, May 5, due to another large party being held during this week. The event will be held at the Hong Kong restaurant on Mass. Ave.

The council also approved another grants package, which allocated nearly $4,000 in funding and over $1,500 in Harvard University Dining Services vouchers. The final due date for grant applications is this Thursday at midnight.

—Staff writer Jeffrey C. Aguero can be reached at aguero@fas.harvard.edu.