While some Harvard students said they believe a computer system and stricter security might help to limit the number of unauthorized meals taken, many said they would continue to encourage their visitors to avoid paying the transient fees, which one student said, "are not worth the price of the food."

"There are no missed-meal factors in the transient rates." Weissbecker said, adding that the board fee is based on the fcat that the average student consumes only two-thirds of the meals he has contracted for. As a result, Weissbecker added, the transient rates, without tax, of $3.65 for lunch and $4.70 for dinner are designed to "recover" the full possible cost of serving an average meal.

Under the current 21-meal plan, he added, the Food Services Department serves an average of 17,000 meals each day. Approximately 2500 to 3000 undergraduates eat breakfast daily, and close to 85 per cent eat lunch and dinner.

The cost of eating at Harvard, however, comprises more than just the price of the food. Although $1.20 is the actual cost of food per meal served, the overall cost, with labor and other expenses, averages to $3.30 per meal served.

The added costs of having 21 meals available each week, however, raises the price a student is paying for each meal to an average of $2.62, Walcott said, explaining that this is the amount a student pays "for the privilege" of having every meal if he desires it.

"We have one of the best food costs compared to other schools," Weissbecker said, adding that this year's $1800 board fee takes into account the rising prices of fuel, labor and related items, in addition to the price of food, which is rising at a slower rate than the other factors. The price of food alone, he said, increased by only 7.9 per cent over the past year, while the overall board rate increased by more than 13.2 per cent, from the 1980-81 fee of $1590.

Yale's fee of $1700 is based on students eating an average of 15 meals per week, while Dartmouth's 21-meal plan, an option selected by approximately 80 percent of the student body, costs $1648