Some students believe it does too little, some believe it does too much and many don't care enough to have an opinion.

"It," of course, is the Undergraduate Council.

Over the past couple of years, the council has faced heavy criticism from students, campus media, and even council insiders.

Council critics cite the council's slow allocation of grants, its $10,000-plus loss in the De La Soul Concert, and a defrauded social committee election two weeks ago as proof that "it is time for a change."

Still, despite some vociferous criticism of council initiatives and even some council personnel, debate over the structure of the body has remained in the background.

An analysis of four other college student governments indicates that the structure of the body has everything to do with its effectiveness and legitimacy.

The conclusions are clear: the more power a student government has, the more it can do and the more respect it receives from its constituency.

Take the University of Miami. Members of the student government there claim an 80 percent voter turnout. Students campaign heavily, outlining differences on critical campus issues.

The campaigns are serious, students there say, because the stakes are high.

The Honor Code Committee at the University of Miami, their version of the Ad Board, is made up of nine students and nine members of the faculty. The student-members are appointed yearly by the student government and serve as its judicial branch.

Its senate consists, like the Undergraduate Council, of representatives of the universities' various residential houses. Miami's government, however, also includes representatives of campus fraternities, sororities and other student groups.

"The University believes that part of our learning process involves taking responsibility for our actions," said Jose A. Hernandez, an active member of Miami's student government.

"Unless a student group is going to violate state or federal law, [the university] chooses not to interfere," said Hernandez, who represents the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity.

The committee hears all cases involving disciplinary action--from cheating to date rape--and its decisions are final.

Although the Undergraduate Council also debates such issues, its role is purely advisory. Indeed, council members who advocate considering "political" issues are often lambasted as straying from the council's real mission: student service.