"The idea of putting students first is not incompatible with progressive issues. That's a false dichotomy."

Other members of the council say Hyman has a definite bias, to the detriment of campus life issues.

"He is a consummate politician," said council member Wesley B. Gilchrist '98, who ran for president unsuccessfully against Hyman in February. "He knows who is most vocal, whose favor he needs.

Hyman denies the allegations, and says his record of reform is the final say on his campaign.

Edward B. Smith III '97

Previous U.C. Experience: Four semesters, two as an executive

Key Positions: Increased efficiency in approving legislation; "Common sense" view of social events

Edward B. Smith III '97 wants to bring the business experience he has gained as the council's treasurer to increasing its efficiency in approving effective legislation.

He criticizes the dearth of fully-developed proposals brought before the council.

He points to the failure of the council's resolution on the ROTC commissioning ceremony as an example of ill-informed legislation. He says no one who was knowledgeable about the history of the administration's previous position on the ceremony was consulted on the proposal.

The council should also take "a common sense" view of social events, according to Smith.

"The U.C. [has a] propensity to lose large amounts of money on unnecessarily elaborate events," says Smith.

He proposed the council should buy blocks of tickets to off-campus concerts and run shuttle buses to them, instead of directly sponsoring large concerts on campus.

He also has a lot of experience in managing and reforming the finances of the council, Smith said.

"There is a reputation for trust that I have developed in my efforts to reorganize the council's finances as treasurer. I completely rewrote the rules to prevent embezzlement and other funny money that have regrettably plagued other campus organizations," Smith says.