"The fact that [Harvard feels] compelled to respond makes it apparent that they recognize that there are serious problems with the plans," Arcidi said.

But members of the administration say they will not halt the renovations.

"As far as derailing the project...no, we are going ahead with the project right now," said David A. Zewinski '76, a senior vice president for property operations and construction who was present for part of the protest.

Adams said he is shocked that Harvard will not recognize its error.

"I am a voice crying in the wilderness," Adams said. "Never in my life would I imagine that this wilderness would be Harvard, which is supposed to be an Athens."

Questionable Support

Critics of the renovations yesterday also questioned the administration's contention that the plans were supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In a letter to committee member Richard C. Byron '50, Director of Planning for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Philip J. Parsons wrote, "I should note that representatives of the National Trust have reviewed our plans and are supportive."

Wendy Nicholas, the Northeast Regional Director for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, confirmed that a number of board members visited the University last year to "see what was going on."

But Nicholas said that it is not the trust's mission or responsibility to review or approve plans for specific buildings or projects.

"While I think all of us would prefer to see that interior space retained as it is, it is not in our permit to second guess the University whether or not they had done an adequate job in identifying possible new uses, other than as a...dining hall," she said.

Other Protests

Last week, Matthew Cohen, a student at the GSD, sent a petition containing 133 signatures and urging the University to reconsider its plans to President Neil L. Rudenstine and other administrators.

"The reasons the University has given for the destruction of the Great Hall reveal an astonishing lack of appreciation of the hall's architectural and historical significance," wrote Cohen in the cover letter to the petition.

The petition includes signatures of 87 GSD students, 29 design professionals, 10 GSD faculty members and six faculty members from various other universities.

Cohen said he has sent letters to the Kresge Foundation and other major Harvard donors.

"I used to think that the chances [that the renovations will proceed] were 99 to one against," he said. "Maybe now it's 95 to five.