"My definition of student government is an often malign representative body which has to work extra hard to win the respect of the students," said David A. Aronberg '93, outgoing council chair.

"Image is not a problem that is unique to Harvard's Undergraduate Council," adds the fifth-semester incumbent.

Still, candidates say they can and should rectify the body's image.

Another concern candidates have expressed is that of financial accountability. Much of their criticism has revolved around the council's handling of student funds.

Last year, the council lost $10,000 on a De La Soul concert and was late in its allocation of spring grants.

The council, which has an annual budget of $120,000, is funded by a small fee included on each undergraduate term bill. On average, only 16 percent of undergraduates check the box on their term bill that enables them to withhold the money, according to Aronberg.

One of the controversial issues facing this year's council will be the allocation of grants. In recent years, many student organizations have complained that the current system is too cumbersome, takes too long, and does not distribute the monies fairly.

Last spring, council grants were delayed until late April due to a low number of applications that were submitted by the first deadline imposed by the council, according to Rico Reyes '93, last semester's finance committee chair.

"Only about 30 applications were turned in on time despite an extensive advertising campaign," said Reyes, who plans to run for council treasurer. "If we would have stopped accepting applications, we would have allocated the money on time, but many groups around campus would have suffered."

Several student groups complained that they received the money too late to make use of it.

Other students say they should play a larger role in deciding where their money goes. But council members say the average student underestimates the difficulty of the task.

"Most people complain because they don't understand the process," said Aronberg. "The finance committee has to review applications from over 100 student groups each semester, requesting a total of over $150,000."

The council, which sets 71 percent of its yearly budget aside for grants, can only distribute approximately $40,000 per semester, according to Aronberg.

Criticism has also centered on the council's inability to produce a successful concert. In addition to last year's De La Soul performance, the council absorbed a deficit of $15,000 from a failed Ziggy Marley concert two years ago. And in 1989, a Suzanne Vega appearance cost the group $50,000.

But perhaps what has divided the council most has been debate over the stance the body should take concerning highly political issues such as ROTC and date rape.