U.C. Rookies Hold Practice Meeting

With a mock vote on whether to depose Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III, rookie Undergraduate Council members got their first taste of council procedure in an introductory meeting yesterday.

Council leaders staged a full debate on whether to unseat Epps to show new members how the body's parliamentary procedures work.

"We wanted to get out the dry stuff so you could move on," said John Mann '94, who co-chaired the election commission that oversaw the council contests this year.

Despite the important issue chosen for the mock debate, Mann warned new members of the true limits of the council's power.

"We can't pass policies for the entire student body, and a lot of our victories will be small," Mann said.

And veteran council member Rudd Coffey '97 warned council rookies of another facet of council life.

"As soon as you leave here you are fair game for people campaigning for U.C. offices," Coffey told the new representatives.

Officer elections are Sunday night.

After the general meeting, council leaders met with first-year representatives to discuss plans for the council's Freshman Caucus.

Coffey told first-years the caucus is an opportunity for them to enhance their first year at Harvard.

"Freshmen are always saying 'we wish there was more social life and we wish there were more parties,'" said Coffey, a former caucus member. "The caucus is where you come in and set up those activities."

Weekly caucus meetings will be moved from Weld to the Union rotunda to encourage first-year participation, Coffey said.