One month after the election that brought 63 rookie representatives onto the Undergraduate Council, some new members already seem disillusioned.

One source of disappointment for first-year members has been the lack of progress of reform resolutions in the council.

"There are two camps," says Jason E. Schmitt '98, who ran for council president last month. "Some love the U.C., and some think the procedures are excessive and we can get a lot more done."

Several new members expressed surprise at the length of recent council meetings and the strict parliamentary procedure that is followed.

The Sunday night meetings have each lasted three to four hours, about an hour longer than in previous years.

Council President David L. Hanselman '94-'95 says the length of the gatherings has led him to consider proposing two general meetings per week.

"There comes a point when you focus so much on procedure that the substance gets lost and forgotten," says Francisco A. Perez '98.

The focus on procedure has disappointed some new members, even those who entered with low expectations, says Geoffrey C. Rapp '98.

"I didn't have any illusions that the U.C. was ultra-powerful," Rapp says. "But I didn't think so much time would be wasted arguing over silly little things and squabbling."

The arguments often delay progress, Schmitt says. "A lot of good ideas get bogged down in parliamentary motions," he says. "By the time we get to vote, everything's been skewed."

The excessively formal debates have frustrated many members.

"A lot of people are becoming disillusioned and have stopped coming to meetings," Rapp says.

Sixty-one out of 83 representatives attended Sunday's general meeting, and two sophomore members, both serving their first-terms on the council, have already been expelled for poor attendance.

Eleven others received attendance warnings, says vice president Brandon C. Gregoire '95.

Morale Boost

Some returning members say the "new blood" has boosted morale and helped the council to move beyond the bickering of past years.