Members of the University Student Executive Council last night discussed the long standing problem of determining a basis for group membership criteria and decided to hold an informal discussion session, closed to the public, on Saturday.

"The membership issue is one that won't go away. I think we need to define this membership and what USEC is about," Sherri Rutolo, USEC chairwoman, said.

Last spring the council spent many long sessions discussing which University groups should be represented on the council. The council is comprised of 18 student leaders representing campus organizations and serves as an advisory committee to University President Bryce Jordan.

In March the council voted against a Lesbian/Gay Student Alliance seat on the board and in April voted against giving seats to a package of three groups applying for seats -- LGSA, the Association of Women Students and the Coalition for Human Equality.

Maria Whitmer, vice-chairwoman of USEC, said last night the council needs to arrive at a concensus on membership criteria, but she acknowledged it would be hard to accomodate all opinions.

Ken Hong, Interfraternity Council, suggested discussing at Saturday's meeting the formation of a committee of students that would propose criteria for USEC membership, after which the council would vote on the proposal.

Students not affiliated with any of the 18 groups composing USEC, yet are knowledgable about campus issues should make up the committee, he said. Such a committee could alleviate problems with differing council members' opinions, he said.

Undergraduate Student Government President Seth Williams requested that Saturday's session be used to discuss exactly what USEC encompasses. He also requested that the council discuss whether it should continue only in an advisory capacity to the University president, or if members should be more pro-active and take a bigger role in University government.