Examples of already existing courses this person may choose include Natural Resource Economics in Developing Countries, Forest Ecology, Tropical Ecology, and Forest Ecology and Economic Development in the Tropics. Also, Kennedy School Professor Robert Stavins is one of the most noted authorities on this subject.
Even an unfocused first or second-year can be completely satisfied with ESPP because it gives the student a broad exposure to many disciplines. During this time he or she will have received credit for taking relevant courses that would be seemingly unrelated under the guise of existing concentrations. An economics concentrator could never get credit for biology courses.
Students should not have to choose to take on of these environmentally related fields as an elective, but should be encouraged to look at the issue from both sides.
One uninformed dean even wanted to know what niche the concentration was intended to fill. Not to offend anyone, but this question is quite absurd from the student's point of view. We have spent countless hours of frustration trying to construct a solid plan of study within the framework of existing majors. Some have even taken the arduous task of creating a plan from scratch under special concentrations.
Future Harvard students should not have to complete an unofficial full course entitled "Constructing an Environmental Plan of Study" their first year at Harvard--and not receive credit for their time. We have more important problems to address--like stopping environmental degradation.
The demand for an environmental concentration has gone way beyond the realm of special concentrations. Already the approval of 19 special environmental concentrations make it one of the most represented topics.
The huge interest on campus is seen in the 100-odd students responding to Students for Environmental Studies (SES) surveys and the over 1000 copies of The Environment at Harvard course guides already distributed (compiled by Geraldine Kaye).
ESPP fills the niche that is currently unaccounted for but also currently filled by other respected universities such as Tufts, Duke, and, yes, even Yale. We have equally qualified professors and courses; we must allow our students to receive credit for taking these classes. In fact, we need programs like ESPP to encourage students to take these courses--for the good of the University, the students, and for the betterment of our environment.
SES would like to thank the faculty for their now serious efforts to formally acknowledge the concentration and in considering our opinions. We are looking forward to seeing the long-awaited approval of Environmental Science and Public Policy by the end of the semester. Brenna D. Segal '95 Students for Environmental Studies