UC Debates Political Role

Next Sunday's elections will give the Undergraduate Council another chance to rehash a timeless debate: the question of whether the organization should use its role as a representative body to delve into controversial issues.

Since the explosive spring of 1990, when the council's unsuccessful attempt to bring the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) back to campus after a two-decade absence provoked fierce campus outcry, the council has been reluctant to take any divisive political stands.

Last semester the council continued the move away from controversial political issues, favoring a renewed emphasis on services. Council members point to accomplishments such as the airport shuttlebus and the used book sale as the crowning achievements of the term.

And many representatives say that this move has given the council's campus image a badly-needed boost.

"We've done very little on the political front," says Council Vice Chair Joel D. Hornstein '91-'92. "That's helped us by not hurting us." Hornstein, who will not seek reelection, ran for chair this fall calling for a council agenda free of controversy.

Any many feel that this is the right direction for the council to be taking.

"We're better off avoiding issues where we divide campus," says outgoing Residential Chair Daniel H. Tabak '92. "I think we should be a student voice, but we shouldn't speak for students when the student body is divided."

But while most council members support the emphasis on services, a small minority still feel that the council should take a more active role in politics.

"The political issues which directly affect students definitely are the business of the council," says Treasurer L. Cameron Kitchin '92. "I would like to see us get more involved in political issues."

Kitchin was the strongest proponent of one of last year's rare political endeavors: a council resolution supporting the workers in the Pittston Coal Strike.

One of the strongest political voices on this term's council is Services Co-Chair Randal S. Jeffrey '91, who recently announced his resignation from the council because of time constraints.

Jeffrey was active this year in one of the council's few political efforts, heading an ad-hoc committee whose goal was to pressure the administration into divesting its South Africa-related stocks.

Up With Issues

"I think it would be better for the UC to deal with more political issues," Jeffrey says. "It does represent the whole student body."

Jeffrey says that the council neglected to address many issues important to undergraduates. He cites the gender discrimination of final clubs as one of these political concerns. Kitchin points to the date rape issue, saying the council should have worked more closely with the Radcliffe Union of Students in resolving the conflict.

"Students want to have a voice on a variety of issues, and we're the only body that can have that voice," says Council Chair Evan B. Rauch '91-'92.