"It's very important to have that fund out there," Cohen said. "It will provide for big events that bring people together on campus."

The new sound system will be available to student groups in addition to the outdated one the council currently uses. About one percent of those polled voted for a system as their first choice.

However, Cohen argued that it is a necessary expenditure.

"It's a small allocation, no one really thinks of it," Cohen said. "But it will probably get more use than anything else we could have done," he continued.

The council also tackled a bill brought by Alexis B. Karteron '01, a member of the Coalition Against Sexual Violence. The bill, which passed with an amendment, called for improved advocacy programs, the creation of a women's center and dismissal of students the Administrative Board rules guilty of rape.

"If you are raped here at Harvard, you don't know where to go to," said coalition member Nilufar Hossain '00, adding her group wants to consolidate the available resources.

A lengthy debate surrounded the amendment, which was proposed by council President Noah Z. Seton '00 and Vice President Kamil E. Redmond '00.