* issues of student empowerment, including demands that students serve on all faculty and administrative committees "making decisions that affect undergraduate life."

* responsible social practices by the University, including calls for fairer labor practices, expanded environmental awareness and divestiture from companies "complicit with human rights abuses."

* reform in the College, including broadening of the Core curriculum, increased offerings in ethnic studies, student participation in tenure decisions and calendar reform.

So far, PUCC's efforts have been well-received by members of groups that have met with PUCC.

"I think that it is a group of very dedicated, organized individuals who would like to see a more proactive Undergraduate Council," says Royce C. Lin '96, co-chair of the Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Student Organization, while emphasizing that he does not speak for that club. "I think that PUCC's concerns are very legitimate, very pressing and urgent."

PUCC has also drawn the interest of students who believe the group is the best chance yet for effecting real change in the council.

"I think this is the first time we've really seen potential for reform." says Ross Frisbie '96, who says he will run for the council under PUCC's umbrella. "They're spending the time and energy and thought in this, and they have specific ideas."

But this focus on activism has not been embraced uniformly.

In particular, some campus conservatives said they are not pleased with PUCC's methods or agenda.

Amanda P. Williams '96, president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Republican Alliance, says it is a "shame" that the council has become so politicized, and adds that PUCC will only make things worse.

"It ends up polarizing the student body and making it increasingly difficult for conservative groups on campus to be productive," Williams says.

She also expresses fears that PUCC's ideology may threaten the council's traditionally content-blind grants process.

"I can imagine how difficult it's going to be for my group, for instance, when we're applying for U.C. money and this group [PUCC] is in place," she says.

Even among those close to PUCC, there is an element of doubt whether a takeover of the council is in the best interests of the student body.

"I think it's very important that the council not become discredited to the extent that it appears to be just a bunch of wacky liberal intellectuals, which is basically what PUCC is," says an individual close to PUCC who asked not to be identified.