Top Undergraduate Student Government officers withdrew their positions from the Executive Student Action Council last night after a motion to dissolve ESAC was struck down.

USG President Chris Saunders, USG Senate President Mike King, USG Vice President Heather Shore and USG Academic Assembly President Erich May resigned their office's position on ESAC after the motion was defeated by a vote of 10 to nine.

The motion was brought forward after a Wednesday night meeting between members of USG, OTIS and the Association of Residence Hall Students. Other ESAC members received advance notice of the action later that evening.

ESAC was formed last year to identify student concerns and take action regarding these concerns. Prior to last night, it consisted of 20 different student leaders from 15 different student organizations.

The Organization for Town Independent Students President Lynette Mason also withdrew her office, but has now reconsidered and will seek to regain the seat.

"While I can vote however I choose, it's my job to sit on ESAC," Mason said, "I did not think it through far enough."

Saunders said ESAC should be dissolved because it is seen by the University administration as the main student governing body, but it is not. "ESAC exists in a vacuum," he said. "It's completely illogical that it exists."

May said ESAC members' attitudes had a lot to do with its failure. "I have had it with the self-seriousness and the pain that I associate with ESAC," he added.

ESAC's purpose was challenged during the meeting. Many members were worried that ESAC does not serve students and those proposing dissolution favored another group taking its place.

King said a new group would encompass all ESAC organizations, but would have more legislative power and be more efficient.

ESAC chair Paul Kaspar first voted against the dissolution. After a miscount was discovered, his vote was disregarded.

Craig Millar, associate vice president of student services, said the administration will continue to work with student leaders, but the future of relations with ESAC is unsure.

"We're prepared to work with whatever student organization wants to work with us," Millar said.

Many ESAC members agreed that ESAC functions well as a forum for communication between student leaders.

Saunders stressed that the organizations behind the motion did not propose it as a power-grabbing move, but a solution to the ineffectiveness that has plagued student leaders for years.

But Bill Donato, Interfraternity Council president, called ESAC effective and voted against dissolution. "It is not a student government, and if student government is the problem, why are we messing with ESAC?" Donato asked, adding "USG is the organization that needs to be changed."

As for the future of the council, Saunders said, "I would expect that it wouldn't exist anymore."