The Pi Eta Speakers Club this week rejected suggestion from College officials that it shut down in the wake of controversy over a publicized newsletter wich refered to women as "slobbering bovines."

The suggestion to close the club was one of several Dean of the College John B. Fox '59 and Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III made to the Alumni Board of the exclusive all-male club at 45 Mt. Auburn St.

The administrators met with members of the board Tuesday night, but they refused to detail other recommendations they made.

Fox yesterday issued a public statement condemning the Pi Eta newsletter and reaffirming the College's committment to "a community open equally to men and women of talent." (See text, page 6)

Offensive

The letter "articulates a view of women so offensive that it constitutes a repudiation of some of the College's fundamental values," Fox stated. "In addition, the letter makes a mockery of basic standards of civility, which the College takes seriously."

Instead of shutting down the club, the Pi Eta Alumni Board decided to pursue "constructive" measures of apology for the newsletter, said Robert B. Cleary '58, chairman of the board. He said the exact measures had not yet been determined.

In addition, earlier in the day, Pi Eta President Timothy J. Keating '85 delivered a letter to Fox apologizing for the newsletter.

Not Intended

"We understand that the language of the letter has given offense to some members of the Harvard community. This was not intended," said the letter, which the club's Alumni Board instructed Keating to write. "We apologize for the letter and sincerely regret any offense given or taken," Keating wrote. (See text. page 6).

Keating could not be reached for comment last night.

The newsletter, which was undated, has aroused a storm of protest from students across campus after its accidental release to the community last week. It refers to women invited to a club party as a "bevy of slobbering bovines fresh for the slaughter," among other statements alleged by protestors as sexist and violent.

More than 100 students picketed the club during a party Saturday night, protesting the newsletter.

A Start

The apology "is a start," and the Pi Eta should take "aggressive steps to demonstrate their recognition of the gravity of the situation," Fox said in an interview.