But other students say they don't approve of the inequity of dues in the houses.

"I think that part is unfair," says John J. Cho '99, a Cabot House resident. "Certain students shouldn't be subjected to paying dues. Since we have randomization, we didn't choose what house to be in."

Some house officials say they wouldn't want to deal with the solicitation of the money.

"The problem that I have with [dues] is that I wouldn't feel it's very good if [residents] don't take advantage of the activities the House Committee puts on," says deRoberts. "I wouldn't feel comfortable asking people to put money in." All houses receive a portion of the profits earned from soda machines, laundry machines, snack machines and video games in the houses. However, most of the houses also rely on other sources of income for fundraising.

According to Chung, Eliot raises money by holding a Dutch Auction in which students buy and sell services ranging from message to golf lessons to babysitting.

Mather House plans to show a movie in the Science Center and a casino night in the house to raise funds this year, deRoberts says.

Jocelyn M. Kiley '97, co-chair of the Currier House Committee, says that house has a steady income from renting the linen depot to Harvard Student Agencies.

The Role of the U.C.

For the last two years, the Undergraduate Council has allocated a $500 block grant to each house, according to council presidentelect Lamelle D. Rawlins '99. At the end of the year, houses submit receipts and can be reimbursed up to that amount.

But that allocation is not part of the council's constitution.

"Right now, there's nothing that prevents the U.C. from providing no money to house committees," says Rawlins.

Students can currently vote on-line on a referendum that would require that 5 percent of the council budget--or about $500 per house--be allocated for house committees in the future. Voting ends at 5 p.m. today.

The council's budget is usually around $120,000, meaning that each house would a share of the $6,000, Rawlins says.

If the referendum passes, "house committees can be assured that the U.C. will support them financially," says Rawlins, who is currently vice president of the council and spearheaded the referendum effort.

Some students argue that increased funding from the Undergraduate Council could eliminate house dues.