Through public service programs, Bok has sought to enlist the support of students in extending the helping hand of the University into the outside world. In addressing the issue of divestment, the president has suggested joint lobbying action against apartheid. Bok sends a message that students need to take a more constructive and active interest in their community, but he denies them the means to do so at home.
As long as the institution occupies an intangible realm removed from those who constitute it, ideas wil tend to take on a life apart from those who create them. Professors communicate to one another through books. Bok communicates with the community through long, logical and legal treatises devoid of personal content. Faculty meetings allow little opportunity for open debate. Instead, projects are advanced behind the scenes, opposition quelled quietly. Change is measured in generations rather than months. Because initiatives rarely involve the input of the community, new projects must proceed ever so slowly to avoid the embarrassment of discontent or failure. For his 15 years in office, Bok has sought to improve the quality of teaching, referring to that goal constantly. Yet his concern has resulted only in speeches and papers designed to change "attitudes" rather than change standards or policies. Students complain about their removal and isolation from professors as much today as in 1971, when he took office.
If students and alumni had a chance to help define the objective that govern the community and consider needed reforms together with the faculty and administrators, the problem of latent and diluted change would dissipate. In addition, students might find less of an urge to create a private community, as through final clubs. If the generally accepted principle of equality became a community dictum, elitist organizations that categorically exclude the majority of the student community might play a less central role in the social life of undergraduates. Student groups might at least recognize that they reflect and extend from a larger organization of equals.
ABSOLUTES RARELY mean anything at all. Certainly they should not form the basis of university governance. One person's idealist is another person's technocrat. One person's inviolable principle is another's stepping stone. Ideas become just only if ther community affected by them accepts them as their own. The role of modern administrators is not to impose principles, but solicit concerns and then convince the community that policies adopted satisfy those concerns are appropriate. No absolutes should exist simply because a self-perpetuating group of seven men determine the existence.
The "best interest" of the University derives directly from collective interest of the community. Students and alumni should have more than a consumer's or a beneficiary's voice in Harvard's affair and they should demand a primary role in formulating the ideals that govern it. Instead of worshipping the abstract principle of institutional grandeur and practicing institutional inertia, Harvard's administration might recognize that its legitimate authority derives from the community it serves. President 1986-1987.
The Crimson is pleased to announce the election of its 114th Executive Board:
Jessica A. Dorman '88 of Leverett House and Newtown, Connecticut, President.
NEWS:Jonathan M. Moses '88 of Winthrop House and Hackensack, New Jersey, Managing Editor. Shari Rudavsky '88 of Lowell House and New York, New York, Managing Editor. Jonathan F. Putnam '88 of Quincy House and Lexington, Massachusetts, Senior Editor. James D. Solomon '87-'88 of Quincy House and New York, New York, Special Projects Editor. James Editor Schwartz '88 of Dunster House and Newton, Massachusett Associate Editor. Geoffrey H. Simon '88 of Lowell House and Short Hills, New Jersey, Sports Editor. Mark T. Brazaitis '89 North House and Washington, D.C., Assistant Sports Editor. Andrea E. Monfried '88 of Eliot House and Allendale, New Jersey Design Editor.
EDITORIAL:Michael D. Nolan '88 of Winthrop House and Bethesda, Maryland, Editorial Chairman. Steven L. Lichtman '88 of Leverett House and Oceanside, New York, Deputy Editorial Chairman. Gary D. Rowe '88 of Lowell House and Los Angeles, California, Associate Editorial Chairman. Abigail M. McGanney '87-'88 of Mather House and New York, New York, Arts Editor. Jeffrey J. Wise '88 of Adams House and Tokyo, Japan, Assistant Editorial Chairman.
MAGAZINE:Jennifer L. Mnookin '88 of Adams House are Palo Alto, California, Magazine Editor. Maia E. Harris '88 Adams House and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Magazine Editor Jefferson S. Chase '88 of Adams House and Crabapple Cove Maine, Associate Magazine Editor.
PHOTO:Mihail S. Lari '89 of Eliot House and Karachi, Pakistan, Photography Chairman. Hector I. Osorio '89 of Winthrop House and Flushing, New York, Photography Chairman Jennifer Pitt '88 of Quincy House and Dobbs Ferry, New York Associate Photography Chairman. D. Jean Guth '88 of Lowel House and New York, New York, Associate Photography Chairman. Andrea L. Roberts '88 of Winthrop House and Newton Massachusetts, Assistant Photo Chairman.
BUSINESS:Robert Q. McManus '88 of Winthrop House and Hempsted, New York, Business Manager. Jane A. Stackpole '88 of Winthrop House and Elizabeth, New Jersey, Operations Manager Tai Woo Hah '88 of Winthrop House and Worceste Massachusetts, Advertising Manager. Willa F.H. Berghuis '88 Eliot House and Toronto, Canada, Advertising Manager. Alison Verani '88 of Quincy House and Ipswich Massachusetts, Special Publications Manager. Janice L. Williams '88 of Lowell House and St. Louis, Missouri, Circulation Manager. Eric M. Candell '88 of winthrop House and Jericho, New York, Systems Manager. John T. Schiavone '89 of Cabot House and Flushing, New York, Credit Manager.