Lamelle D. Rawlins '99 has a record that she can run on--and that her opponents can run against.

Nearly one year after she was elected vice president in the council's first-ever popular elections, Rawlins has thrown her hat into the ring as a presidential contender.

And most observers agree that Rawlins' success in the upcoming election will depend to a large extent on how students judge her success in promoting the "Students' Bill of Rights" platform she and President Robert M. Hyman '98 promised in the spring.

"For those on the U.C., I think it is a referendum on them. We will take whatever the results are as a judgment on the Hyman/Rawlins council," says council member Benjamin W. Hulse '99.

If elected, Rawlins says she will continue to focus on issues concerning women and minorities, as well as address campus security. Rawlins says she will promote council support of student groups and increase council responsiveness to student interests.

But many members of the council say that Rawlins had her shot, and didn't succeed.

"They've made progress on some things, but on a lot of points, they were just paying lip service," says council Secretary Michael J. Passante '99, who publicly backed Hyman and Rawlins in the spring, but is now endorsing Eric M. Nelson '99 for president.

In particular, Passante says the council has become more responsive to student interests, but has not been effective in addressing women and minorities.

Other council members vocally accuse Rawlins and Hyman of employing unfair political tactics in attempting to accomplish their goals.

"They've pushed [their agenda] through basically by frustrating people into submission," says council member Carsten M. Reichel '98.

Passante agrees, adding that during council meetings, Hyman and Rawlins consistently favor speakers who back their views.

"I approve of their goals, but not of their methods," says Passante. "There's still room for the opposition to express their opinion, but it's a little bit harder."

For her part, Rawlins says she and Hyman have been impartial while chairing meetings.

"I feel confident that all sides have been fairly treated," she says.

And she adds that has addressed all planks in her platform from the spring, and will continue to do so.