Another PUCC organizer, Julie C. Suk '97, says that the group wanted to facilitate information exchange on campus.
"We wanted to create a dialogue, not just of progressives, but really of the entire campus," Suk says.
At the time, PUCC was received enthusiastically by the council leadership.
"This sounds fantastic," then-Vice President Justin C. Label '97 told The Crimson last April. "It's exactly the kind of thing that is needed to combat the apathy which keeps us from performing to full potential."
In the fall, PUCC began postering the campus for the fall elections, encouraging people to run under its program of increased representation of women and minorities, human-rights issues and council reform.
Although PUCC's election rate was about 10 percent lower than that non-PUCC candidates, the coalition still managed to land 32 seats on the council. And in October's officer elections, PUCC members Lamelle D. Rawlins '99 and Edward B. Smith III '97 were elected secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Effectiveness and Relevance
This fall's council produced the most legislation of any session in history. But PUCC's role in this productivity burst is unclear.
Council President Robert M. Hyman '98-'97 praises PUCC's role in fighting for change, and credits the organization with facilitating a revival of the council.
"I think PUCC has had an extremely beneficial effect as a catalyst for change," Hyman says. "It's part of the rebirth of the council, a result of many dynamic students' work."
And students are beginning to feel the impact of PUCC on the council, says Tobias B. Kasper '97, one of PUCC's leaders on the council.
Kasper mentions the council's support for Phillips Brooks House, ethnic studies courses, anonymous HIV testing at University Health Services and popular election of council officers.
Other PUCC members mention the council's work fighting against federal cuts to student financial aid.
"I think people recognize that a lot of it is due to PUCC," Kasper says. PUCC members applaud themselves for becoming wholeheartedly engaged in the council's business. Indeed, PUCC members were awarded a disproportionate number of awards for perfect attendance last semester, according to Franke-Ruta.
But other council members say they believe that PUCC cannot take all the credit for the council's successes.
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