"We're turning back on something that'simportant to the College, but I applaud [Jewett's]statement that he will seek next year to changethe system across the board," he said.

Jewett said that he was influenced by studentarguments that a random system should be used inall houses and that 25 percent is too small anumber to influence house diversity.

However, he also said he disagrees with theargument that the College should inform studentsof the house assignment policy before they come toHarvard. Freshmen who opposed the plan listed allthree complaints in their petition to reverse thepolicy.

Many masters said yesterday they will backJewett's proposed plan for next year, but severalstudents said they do not support apartially-random system.

"I think it's totally awesome that students canhave so much influence," said petition drafter M.Scott Murphy '92, but he added he will opposeJewett's proposal for 50 percent random assignmentnext year.

"It is unfair because it only takes away choicefrom some people," Murphy said.

"I don't know if I would support a sustem thatis 50-50. At this point the administration shouldmake up its mind whether it wants to go completelyrandom or not do it at all," said Lauren Keller'92, who signed the petition to Jewett.

The head of the newly-formed Committee forChoice in Housing, Eugene Stern '92, calledJewett's proposal "pointless" and said he does notbelieve students will support it