"Some students may object to the fact that I state my views on issues," adds the dean.

The 'Pragmatic' Generation

The growing conservatism on Harvard's campus may reflect a national trend towards the right among America's youth.

The popular press recently has embarked on broad characterizations of the college-age generation, from "the lonely generation" to "the 'fuck you' generation."

Epps says he believes the trend towards conservatism is not a reflection of cynicism or a jaded world view but rather a new sense of pragmatism.

Landry agrees with Epps that the college-age generation is not cynical, but says students are more realistic about the results of their efforts.

"The natures of young people may not have changed that much, but our perception of reality has changed," says Landry.

"People have grown up from the 60s," says Landry. "They realize it's just a show and that nothing is going to happen."

Landry says the kind of liberal demonstrations that characterized the volatile campus atmosphere at Harvard in the 1960s are symbols of a bygone era.

"[Students] want to spend their time a little bit better than just going out and trying cry-baby knee-jerk tactics," he says.