But Rosenthal said Simons' concerns did not focus on the actual context of the proposal. Lewis said he would consider altering the wording of that section.

Simons also asked to add a statement "requiring the director of UHS to approve such decisions."

Although Lewis said this type of decision should not be made by physicians, Simons wanted assurances limiting the dean's authority regarding the policy.

"I think there are enough protections of other kinds to prevent the dean from doing [something inappropriate of this sort]," Lewis said.

But Simons asked, "If the UHS can't make the decision, who else can?"

Following an awkward silence, Lewis said he "noted the question."

Simons said he also wanted assurance that students would have the opportunity to appeal the decision to a subcommittee of the Administrative Board.

After changing the language of the proposal from "the Dean may refer the dispute [to the Ad-Board], to "the Dean will refer the dispute," Simons acquiesced.

"I am comfortable with the ill-defined definitions [of medical conditions and the dean's decision-making process] if students have a guaranteed appeal," Simons said.

Other Issues

The committee also discussed a new policy for medical exemptions from final exams, which would eliminate the statement of the student's medical condition from the form submitted to the administration.

"The problem is that medical information is leaking into administration that is unnecessary and not appropriate," Lewis said.

Citing the lack of confidentiality of Harvard ID numbers, Lewis said he may provide private personal identification numbers to students in the future, in addition to ID numbers