Experts trained by the Harvard Negotiation Project have been conducting an independent evaluation of Harvard race relations, interviewing students and administrators, with an eye toward providing training in conflict management and medication.

A Real Race Czar

Despite apparent confusion among the various committees, Epps has increasingly asserted his proconsulary authority as coordinator of race relations in recent weeks, making his presence felt at the Office of Race Relations and the Harvard Foundation which now fall directly under his authority.

Epps recently attended the Foundation's spring grants meeting, raising questions about Counter's autonomy over his own organization. "We had a grants meeting but we're not even sure that the proposals are going to be passed," says Student Advisory Committee member Adam D. Taxin '93. "Epps seems like he's really running the show these days."

The Foundation's grants process has been under scrutiny since Epps began an investigation of a Society of Arab Students complaint about their fall grant. "Dean Epps did indicate that the faculty would not just rubber stamp the decisions," says Nicholson.

Last month, Epps said he partially blames the Foundation for the College's problems with race relations.

The faculty advisory committees of both the Foundation and the Office of Race Relations, which approved the policy decisions of their respective organizations, have been dissolved and merged into what is now the Operations Committee over which Epps presides. Epps says he wanted to integrate the activities of both offices.

In a written statement to The Crimson, Counter said Epps' involvement is "welcomed by all of us" and that he "welcome" knowles creation of the standing committees on race relations.

For much of the Foundation and the Office's history together, there have been complaints from students and faculty about unnecessary overlap in their respective mandates.

"The two groups overlap in providing educational programs," says Jewett. "To some degree, they probably hadn't worked as close together as they should do."

Counter, the Foundation's director since its creation, calls the organization "The primary University office for hosting multicultural programs and projects that serve to increase racial and cultural understanding."

The Foundation does out $20,000 to minority student organizations each semester and sponsors a program of visiting scholars from "neglected cultures." College officials have touted the Foundation as the "proactive" arm of its race relations programming complementing the "reactive" Office of Race Relations.

In recent months, the Foundation has been criticized by members of its SAC for not doing enough to improve campus race relations. Members have said the SAC has been paralyzed because they believe the Foundation may be dissolved in Epps' reorganization efforts.

Students who work closely with Dr. Counter are steadfast in defending him.

"Dr. Counter is in the basement of University Hall, meeting mostly with students, from 10 in the morning to seven in the evening," says Nicholson. "His involvement is phenomenal."