In retrospect, the letter was a poor attempt at humor. It was not intended to nor does it represent the attitudes of the club's membership about any issue. We understand that the language of the letter has given offense to some member of the Harvard community. This was not intended. We apologize for the letter and sincerely regret any offense given or taken.

The Alumni Board of the club has expressed to the membership its serious cncern and has directed that this type of incident not reoccur.

Our club has been a contributive member of the Harvard community for 118 years. On behalf of our membership we confirm our continued respect for all members of the community.  Timothy J. Keating  President

The following is the statement released yesterday by Dtan of the College John B. Fas Jr. '59 on the PI Eta Club.

To Members of the Harvard College Community:

"The Official Pi Eta Speakers Club News letter" has ruised a topic of great concern to many members of the community. The club's officers have argued that the letter does not express views held by any of them, and that, on reflection, they regret the public misperception that they do hold such views. Nevertheless, the letter articulates a view of women so offensive that it constitutes a repudiation of some of the College's fundamental values. In addition, the letter makes a mockery of basic standards of civility, which the College takes seriously.

I should like to take this opportunity to make some observations about the circumstances of women in Harvard College and to express my concerns. During the past decade especially, we have made steady progress towards genuine coeducation. Our intention has been not merely to assure that classes and the Houses are open to women as well as to men Our ideal has been, and remains, an environment in which women and men of diverse backgrounds and interests might participate fully.

However, women in the College cannot help but be aware that historically Harvard has been a largely male environment and many of those who hear the responsibilities of teaching and administration are men. It is, therefore, not surprising that women are more likely than men to report feeling themselves to be less than full citizens of the College. From time to time our common enterprise of providing a successful coeducational experience has been disrupted and women have had occasion to worry that their place in the College may not be secure.

Students and others in the community should have no doubt that the College is irrevocably committed to the ideal of a community open equality to men and women of talent. Although freedom to express individual ideas' and viewpoints is essential, respect for others is a fundamental principle on which the College operates and which we are committed to preserve. I urge students who experience difficulties of any nature on account of their sex to enlist the help of officers of the College, such as Senior Tutors and Senior Advisers. Dean Marlyn McGrath Lewis and I both welcome opportunities to hear students' general concerns about the coeducational environment