But it is the dearth of Black men in the Classof 1996 that worries admissions officials.
"Being a Black man is an endangered species,"says Evans. "People say that it's an inner-cityphenomenon. Would that it were. It's also amiddle-class phenomenon."
Jonathan R. Boughton '96 is one of 27 blackfirst-year men. He says only a dozen Blackfirst-year men attended BSA functions duringorientation week.
"It's probably going to require a lot moresticking together," he says.
Some students say the admissions office iscutting back on minority recruitment efforts.
Williams says the admissions office shouldn'thave eliminated its separate minority recruitmentpre-frosh weekend.
"One of the most important things for Blackstudents coming to a predominantly white campus isa support group," Williams says.
And while Bragg says he understands that theadmissions office is handcuffed by its need-basedfinancial aid policy, he insists that "there areother ways to woo students."
Admissions officials are skeptical. "Financesreally tended to drive their decision," saysBanks. "Whether that could have been altered byrecruitment activities, one does not know."
The question that students, administrators andadmissions officers alike are asking is: Is thisyear's drop just an anomaly or the first sign of adangerous trend?
Harvard officials insist they have not and willnever lower admissions standards in the interestsof diversity.
But Rudenstine's comments this week indicatethat the University will consider making anexception to the need-based rule if the problemworsens.
Otherwise, the University which touts diversityas its greatest strength may be left with atroubling dearth of Black men and women.