For those who wish to take creative writing classes, the problem is similar. The English department, which offers the classes places priority on the needs of its academic concentrators over creative courses.

Creative writing is "one of many things in the mix, and not an immediate priority," department chair Leopold Damrosch said earlier this year.

Instructors in creative writing are not tenured in the English department--except Boylston Professor of Rhetoric Seamus Heaney, who only serves one semester a year-and can only get five--year appointments.

"[The faculty] only think Chaucer and Shakespeare are worthwhile. Creative writing is just not respected," says one English concentrator who spoke on condition of anonymity. "I think most would say the department does not try to foster writers."

Some student find a similar situation in VES, where concentrators say faculty seem to value the study of film over the visual arts.

And in the dramatic arts, there isn't even a department at all, despite the hundreds of students involved in the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club.

Drama is represented by a committee, and by the professional actors at the American Repertory Theatre (ART) Whose presence is supposed to play an educative role for students interested in drama.

But the professionals often have other priorities as well.

"The ART system doesn't work so well," says Michael Rosenbaum '94, who is Crimson editor. "Few students are involved and ART's interests are not with the students. They are interested in making money and being successful."

Lack of Courses

The natural result of this lack of commitment to arts teaching students say, is a lack of courses and resources in most fields.

In creative writing classes, the crunch is severe. This semester, 500 students applied to take the 13 classes available. While those who do get in say the classes are well-taught and helpful only 180 people could take them this year.

Students interested in pursuing creative writing for a living say the English department does not help them do creative theses.

Only a handful of students a year--often just one or two--are allowed to do a thesis like Patton's book of poems.

"I had taken several creative writing courses and poetry classes and applied to do a creative thesis in poetry and was denied," says Natasha H. Leland '95 a Crimson magazine editor. "I was really upset."