"The U.C. has pretty broad powers right now andit's shown that it hasn't been able to use them inany constructive way," says LaRock. "Certainlymore constraints by the administration would stemthe tide of political aspirants."

Heinicke denies that Harvard's studentgovernment is too politicized and says he opposesefforts to abolish the council. Still, the newcouncil chair says he would be receptive to anysuggestions put forward by LaRock or others.

"I'll never rule anything out," Heinicke says."If he's got a proposal, let's see it, but I thinkthe situation right now doesn't warrant completeoverhaul or disbanding."

In fact, most students and administrators saythey doubt the council will be scrapped entirelythis year, or even at any time in the very nearfuture.

"The action of a few people doesn't necessarilytarnish the council any more than, [in] thenational government, [the] actions of a couple ofpeople in Congress should tarnish the wholegroup," says Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett'57. "I hope that the community will not assumethat because of this situation, the council is notcapable of performing valuable services."

But many are not so optimistic. "If you've gotmembers calling for each other's impeachment, howmuch work can get done?" asks former Dunster Houserepresentative Mark P. Parisi '93, who resignedfrom the council last year out of frustration withits management.

"I am pessimistic about what's going on thisyear," Parisi says. "I don't think the council isgoing to have much success unless they really,really clean house and get things straightened outas far as priorities go.