132 Declare Candidacy For Council

In a stunning reversal from last year's underwhelming turnout, a near record 133 students have signed up to run for the Undergraduate Council, according to an unofficial candidate summary released yesterday afternoon.

That total is more than 30 percent higher than the 99 students who ran for the council's 88 slots last year.

"I'm really psyched about it," said council executive and presidential hopeful Jonathan P. Feeney '97. "Competitive races are going to help the student body focus a lot on the issues, and that's what I want to do."

Among the most telling statistics is the rise in the number of districts where there are more candidates than seats Last year, a paltry seven of the 17 districts were competitive; this year, all but Eliot, Leverett, Lowell and Winthrop Houses are.

Observers attribute the increase in candidates to two factors.

The first is the rise of the Progressive Undergraduate Council Coalition (PUCC), a political organization spear headed by leaders of the College's liberal student community. PUCC is hoping to enhance the council's diversity and use the council as means of advancing a political agenda.

Forty-five students will run for council seats under PUCC's aegis, according to a list provided by leaders of the coalition.

The coalition will run candidates in every house except Leverett, Winthrop and Currier, including to first years and a full slate of five in Pforzheimer House.

"I suppose it went more erratically than would have been optimal...but in the end we've gotten more candidates than I ever thought we would," said Scott I. Shuchart '97, a PUCC leader.

"We anticipate running enough candidates under the PUCC banner to constitute something very close to a majority [in the council]," said Jedidiah S. Purdy '97, one of PUCC's primary organizers.

PUCC would win a majority of the council's seats it all of its candidates earned election to the council. Its leaders said they're hoping to land more than 30 members on the council, which would give it a solid voting bloc to pursue its agenda.

A second factor contributing to the increased turnout is that the council's image appears to have improved sub- stantially from a year ago.

At this time last year, the council was reeling from a strife-torn spring in which its vice president was nearly impeached, and then censured and de-censured over three weeks; it was forced to invalidate a referendum it ran because of numerous administrative improprieties; it drew heavy criticism for not heeding a student petition and referendum calling for numerous structural reforms; and a council executive resigned amid impropriety charges after he tape-recorded a telephone conversation with a political rival.

By comparison, the 1994-95 year was relatively scandal-free for the council.

"I think we had a pretty good year last year, and I think that's excited some people to run," said Manisha Bharti '98, a council member who is helping to organize the election.

Reuben Kopeo '98, a first-time candidate for the council in Currier House, pointed to overall improvement and one particular change made last year as being instrumental in his decision to run.

"I think it's on the right track," he said. "I think general elections for president will definitely help. It just needs more of the right people to be involved."

Those interviewed said the council's improved image was particularly reflected in increased enthusiasm by first-years.

"A lot of the freshmen who spoke to upperclassmen didn't hear those same things about the horror of joining the U.C.," Bharti said. "They seem to be getting a lot more positive feedback from people they've been speaking to."

The Races

For the second year in a row, Cabot will be the most competitive house. Eleven candidates have signed up to run, including presidential contender and outgoing Vice President Justin C. Label '97.

Feeney, the only other declared presidential hopeful, is all but assured of a seat.

There are only five candidates running for the five seats in his Lowell House district.

But for now, the candidates said they're focusing on the home districts rather than on getting the edge in internal council battles.

PUCC in particular plans to run a largely decentralized campaign, its leaders said.

Members said they would try to encourage town meetings in all houses where PUCC candidates are running. That would allow the group to explain its goals and pique interest in the council among residents.

Voting for council representatives will take place October 3-6 in College dining halls.

The council is still exploring the possibility of allowing first-years to cast their votes on-line. The Harvard Computer Society has already designed a system that would allow first-years to do so. A decision on the use of that system should come from the Dean of Student's Office this week, according to Eric M. Silberstein '98, a member who is helping to oversee the general election.

Races will be determined by the hare proportional system, a complex counting scheme also employed by the Cambridge City Council.

The victors' names will be available as soon as Saturday, October 7, according to Silberstein. The council's first meeting is October 8

At this time last year, the council was reeling from a strife-torn spring in which its vice president was nearly impeached, and then censured and de-censured over three weeks; it was forced to invalidate a referendum it ran because of numerous administrative improprieties; it drew heavy criticism for not heeding a student petition and referendum calling for numerous structural reforms; and a council executive resigned amid impropriety charges after he tape-recorded a telephone conversation with a political rival.

By comparison, the 1994-95 year was relatively scandal-free for the council.

"I think we had a pretty good year last year, and I think that's excited some people to run," said Manisha Bharti '98, a council member who is helping to organize the election.

Reuben Kopeo '98, a first-time candidate for the council in Currier House, pointed to overall improvement and one particular change made last year as being instrumental in his decision to run.

"I think it's on the right track," he said. "I think general elections for president will definitely help. It just needs more of the right people to be involved."

Those interviewed said the council's improved image was particularly reflected in increased enthusiasm by first-years.

"A lot of the freshmen who spoke to upperclassmen didn't hear those same things about the horror of joining the U.C.," Bharti said. "They seem to be getting a lot more positive feedback from people they've been speaking to."

The Races

For the second year in a row, Cabot will be the most competitive house. Eleven candidates have signed up to run, including presidential contender and outgoing Vice President Justin C. Label '97.

Feeney, the only other declared presidential hopeful, is all but assured of a seat.

There are only five candidates running for the five seats in his Lowell House district.

But for now, the candidates said they're focusing on the home districts rather than on getting the edge in internal council battles.

PUCC in particular plans to run a largely decentralized campaign, its leaders said.

Members said they would try to encourage town meetings in all houses where PUCC candidates are running. That would allow the group to explain its goals and pique interest in the council among residents.

Voting for council representatives will take place October 3-6 in College dining halls.

The council is still exploring the possibility of allowing first-years to cast their votes on-line. The Harvard Computer Society has already designed a system that would allow first-years to do so. A decision on the use of that system should come from the Dean of Student's Office this week, according to Eric M. Silberstein '98, a member who is helping to oversee the general election.

Races will be determined by the hare proportional system, a complex counting scheme also employed by the Cambridge City Council.

The victors' names will be available as soon as Saturday, October 7, according to Silberstein. The council's first meeting is October 8