Fine Not Ruling Out U.C. Bid

When Undergraduate Council President Carey W. Gabay '94 announced the resignation of North House delegate Sean D. Wissman '95 Sunday night, a quiet chant was heard from the gallery.

The chant had to do with the delegate's potential replacement, and it represented the name on the minds of many observers when they heard about the North House opening.

"Ran-dy Fine, Ran-dy Fine," whispered former Council Chair Michael P. Beys '94.

Beys was referring to Randall A. Fine '96, the former council secretary whose year of service to the council can only be described as stormy.

Fine isn't ruling out a run. And if he jumps in, the North House race promises to be the most interesting of four special elections scheduled for next week to fill seats on the council.

The resignations of Margo E. Crespin '94, Jordan I. Schreiber '95 and Frank A. Pasquale '96 have also left vacancies in Lowell House, Leverett House and Cabot House, respectively.

Residents of those houses have until Sunday at 5 p.m. declare their candidacy for the seats, according to Joshua D. Liston '95, the council vice president.

In the event that all the seats are contested by multiple candidates, Liston said the election would most likely be staggered--one house would hold them on Tuesday and Wednesday, another on Wednesday and Thursday, and so on.

The seat in North House could be hotly contested, especially following the recent competitive elections for the house committee.

Fine, a vigorous campaigner, would add to the competition. And he has a record that he can run on--and that his opponents can run against.

Fine was repeatedly accused of unethical behavior by other council members and the student press during his yearon the council.

The allegations range from buying votes in lastyear's Republican Club elections to keeping acouncil-administered grant from a federal agencyto himself.

As a first-year, Fine was instrumental in theinstallation of cable television in the FreshmanUnion. He also promoted the use ofenergy-efficient lighting as part of the "GreenLights" program.

Fine ran for re-election in the fall, butfinished a close sixth in the race for NorthHouse's five seats.

In an interview yesterday, Fine said he isn'tsure about running for the open seat. In fact, hesaid he didn't even know about the vacancy.

However, Fine said he "really doubts" he'llthrow his hat in the ring.

"I have no burning desire," Fine said.

"The last time I ran, it was a rottenexperience," Fine added. "There were some[campaign] posters [in North House] that were notso friendly."

Fine also said he is not sure whether he wantsto put in the effort. The constant criticism hefaced as a council member has taken its toll, hesaid.

"Last spring, me and Mike [Beys] worked really,really hard, and for nothing," Fine said.

Although he believes the council is "doingfine" this year, Fine said the boby has importantstructural problems he believes could be bestcorrected from within.

He also said he is somewhat dissatisfied withthe council's campus presence.

"The council isn't doing as much as I wouldhave liked," Fine said. "I feel it should havebeen taking on a lot more."

For his part, Beys said he hopes Fine will run,but also doubts he'll pursue the seat.

"I think he's one of the greats," Beys said."The things he accomplished are really amazing."

But Beys added: "I think he 's kind of had it,at least for this year.

The allegations range from buying votes in lastyear's Republican Club elections to keeping acouncil-administered grant from a federal agencyto himself.

As a first-year, Fine was instrumental in theinstallation of cable television in the FreshmanUnion. He also promoted the use ofenergy-efficient lighting as part of the "GreenLights" program.

Fine ran for re-election in the fall, butfinished a close sixth in the race for NorthHouse's five seats.

In an interview yesterday, Fine said he isn'tsure about running for the open seat. In fact, hesaid he didn't even know about the vacancy.

However, Fine said he "really doubts" he'llthrow his hat in the ring.

"I have no burning desire," Fine said.

"The last time I ran, it was a rottenexperience," Fine added. "There were some[campaign] posters [in North House] that were notso friendly."

Fine also said he is not sure whether he wantsto put in the effort. The constant criticism hefaced as a council member has taken its toll, hesaid.

"Last spring, me and Mike [Beys] worked really,really hard, and for nothing," Fine said.

Although he believes the council is "doingfine" this year, Fine said the boby has importantstructural problems he believes could be bestcorrected from within.

He also said he is somewhat dissatisfied withthe council's campus presence.

"The council isn't doing as much as I wouldhave liked," Fine said. "I feel it should havebeen taking on a lot more."

For his part, Beys said he hopes Fine will run,but also doubts he'll pursue the seat.

"I think he's one of the greats," Beys said."The things he accomplished are really amazing."

But Beys added: "I think he 's kind of had it,at least for this year.