After a furious debate that lasted more than an hour and erupted at points into what one council member called "craziness and disorganization," the Undergraduate Council voted last night to overrule a decision by President Fentrice D. Driskell '01 and proceed with the impeachment of Vice President John A. Burton '01.

Driskell declared at the meeting that the 10 representatives who had sponsored legislation to remove Vice President John A. Burton '01 from office had no constitutional authority to do so.

As president, Driskell generally has the authority to interpret the council's constitution.

But the council voted to overrule her by a vote of 34 to 22, scheduling impeachment proceedings for this Sunday.

Burton was not present at the meeting because his grandfather recently died, and he had returned home to be with his family.

The sponsors of the bill to remove him motioned that it be tabled until next week when they learned the reason for Burton's absence. The council unanimously approved the move.

The two articles of impeachment brought against Burton allege that he took buttons from the office of a student group without permission and that he provided false testimony to the council's Election Commission.

Over the weekend, several current and former council representatives--including former council Vice President Samuel C. Cohen '00--questioned the council's authority to remove a popularly elected vice president from office.