Housing March Draws Few Students

The number of Harvard Students participating in an October 7 march on Washington for affordable housing is so small that they may not fill a single bus, representatives of Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) said yesterday.

"We haven't been pleased," said Sean Buffington '91, an organizer of the "Housing Now" rally. "It's a shame that Harvard students can't muster enough interest. Posters have been up for weeks we tabled at registration and we have been selling tickets at the houses since then."

Buffington said he did not know how many tickets PBHA has sold. But he said that the number is considerably less than 50 needed to fill a bus.

In contrast, 11 buses were needed to transport Harvard students to last spring's pro-choice rally in Washington.

However some Harvard students have made other travel arrangements to Washington.

Sarah Silbert '91 said that 30 Harvard students are going to the demonstration on a bus chartered by the Second Home, a Roxbury shelter for the homeless. The students will be accompanied by 20 residents of the shelter, she said.

Rosa Ehrenreich '91, the co-chair of PBHA's committee on economic change, said she was disappointed by the low turnout. She described the rally as the first protest exclusively designed to call attention to a nationwide housing crisis.

"The goal is to raise awareness that homelessness isn't only caused by mental illness or drug addiction," Ehrenreich said.

84 Seniors Running For Class Marshal

Bret Williams '90 said he wanted to keep in touch with his classmates.

Jennifer E. Brumage '90 said she enjoyed organizing large functions.

Charlotte R. Joslin '90 wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father.

So all three are among 84 seniors who have thrown their crimson hats into the ring this year contending for one of the eight class marshal positions.

Once elected, the class marshals will organize Commencement week events including the Class Day speaker, the last dance and the moonlight cruise. After graduation, the marshals together with class committee members and Alumni Association officials will organize annual reunions.

The candidates needed to collect 25 signatures by yesterday to be nominated. Next month house committees will hold a series of two elections to determine the eight winners.

The marshals' names will be announced on Oct. 17.

Candidates interviewed said the ideal class marshal should be a competent and understanding leader

"I'd like to think classmates will look to me as a leader with compassion and the ability to articulate their concerns," said Sarah E. James '90.