"The Harvard Foundation is in a Catch-22 situation. I guess people expect it to do everything, but it can't," says Sydney W. DeJongh '87. Students have raised complaints about the Foundation this year, saying it does not have the power or facilities necessary to accomplish what minority groups would like it to. These students fault the foundation for having only a part-time director, no practical facilities for group meetings, and restricted funding.

But with the creation of the new committees this year, the Foundation has responded to earlier criticisms that it lacked student representation and the ability to deal with racial harassment issues. Dr. S. Allen Counter, director of the Foundation, credits the body for keeping racial tension much lower at Harvard than at other campuses. Other universities have not "taken our approach to dealing with racial problems--they've taken other approaches that are not as successful," he says.

"I think that students often underestimate the role that the Harvard Foundation plays in keeping racial harmony among the high-quality people we have here," Counter adds.

But some students remain disillusioned. "I have little enthusiasm for the Harvard Foundation. If it was meant to be a substitute for a Third World Center, then I think it's a poor substitute," Leah Johnson says.

Others criticize the administration for taking too long to address racial issues and form organizations such as the Racial Harassment Committee. "Minority groups have been encouraging the university for years to take measures so subtle racism won't become explosive," Braxton says. "It's unfortunate that it takes a Currier House 'nigger strike force' to bring it to the attention of the University administration."

Administrators also point to the record high numbers of minority students admitted to the college for next year as proof that Harvard is committed to dealing with racial issues, and say this awareness also helps to keep racial tension lower on campus. This year's figures are a sign that will help "minorities realize that they do have a place at Harvard, a place in America," says Leah Johnson.

But despite the problem of racism on the Harvard campus, many students and administrators say they are glad that the University has managed to avoid serious racial tension. "We're not perfect, but I am so happy that we are where we are instead of where other university campuses are," Bossert says.