An overflow crowd packed Emerson Hall last Thursday to hear a debate on the role of ethnic groups on campus, supported by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations and the Asian American Association (AAA).

Separately that night, the Foundation's Student Advisory Committee (SAC) met to disburse $10,642 to 30 ethnic and cultural organizations, out of 77 applications, at its biannual grants meeting.

And on Nov. 13, SAC Co-Chair Sarita M. James '98 confirmed last night, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan will speak at Harvard, an event to be organized by the Foundation and the University Marshal's. P>The flurry of activity points to the continued prominence among Harvard's minority community of the Foundation, created by the University in 1981 to foster race relations and bridge cultural divisions at the College.

"Every group is allowed to come to the Foundation to explore their own cultural background," said Dr. S. Allen Counter, director of the Foundation and associate professor of neurology, in an interview.

But, Counter added, "[Students] don't have to be with a group to have [their] ideas pursued."

The Foundation was conceived after students produced a pamphlet called "Unfair Harvard," which argued that minorities were "in Harvard but not of it," Counter said.

Derek C. Bok, who was then Harvard's president, formed a committee led by Peter J. Gomes, Plummer professor of Christian morals and Pusey minister in the Memorial Church, to find ways to alleviate dissatisfaction among minority students.

"Once [the committee] was established, I met with students from every ethnic group at Harvard," Counter said. "I asked them to see how we could help Harvard adjust to its growing diversity."

The Foundation has continued that work as the number of ethnic and cultural student groups at the College has skyrocketed from just five, in 1981, to more than 60 today.

The Foundation itself hosts three main annual events: a spring intercultural film festival, a conference on minorities in science and Cultural Rhythms--a musical and dance festival in February.

The Foundation invites every student cultural group--including such pan-cultural organizations as the Woodbridge Society of international students--to participate in Cultural Rhythms, which was first held in 1984.

About 27 groups participated in February's festival, which was hosted by the comedian Sinbad.

Grants to Groups

Even closer to home for many student groups, though, is the funding the Foundation provides to support events ranging from study groups to food fests.

The Foundation's grants come from from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and from private donations. Recently the Foundation received a donation from Sean T. Brady '89.

"Through the Foundation I was able to meet and work with outstanding students and faculty from all cultural and racial backgrounds," Brady wrote in the letter that accompanied his donation.

Brady, who was a member of the Irish Cultural Society, gave funds to support a student intern at the Foundation.

About 12 interns work at the Foundation each semester to coordinate the grants process and Foundation events. Anyone can apply for an internship.

"As interns we help to organize and assist these groups in any way possible," said Nana E. Coleman '98, co-chair of the Foundation SAC.

James S. Lee '99 said interns are exposed to a wide range of experiences.

"[Interning is] a really unique experience," he said. "I think we do a really wide variety of jobs."

"One of the perks: we're not only supporting what happens but meeting interesting people on a very personal basis," Lee added.

In addition to the interns, the Foundation depends on the work of the SAC, which also oversees the grants process, coordinates publicity for Foundation events and hosts Foundation guests.

Coleman said that SAC membership has allowed her to interact with many campus cultural groups.

"I've become more interested in and aware of what student groups exist and more interested in the issues and challenges these groups have," Coleman said.

At Thursday's meeting, the SAC for the first time heard a grant application from the Committee on Deaf Awareness, which is affiliated with the Phillips Brooks House Association, James said.

"There certainly is a culture associated with the deaf community, and it's only now that we're become aware of it," she said.

Prominent Speakers

In recent years, the Foundation has brought such notable speakers as former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros-Boutros Ghali, poet and author Maya Angelou, author Graham Greene and ChangLin Tien, former chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley.

Annan, who will deliver a public address and attend a Foundation reception next month, is the latest in the list of prominent guests.

"We do our best to bring guests here who are uplifting to the community," Counter said.

Counter often uses the Foundation's and his own prestige to attract prominent speakers to campus. Last year, Counter helped AAA bring Connie Chung for its annual conference.

This year at the students' request Counter has invited Dr. David Ho, an AIDS researcher and Time Magazine's 1996 man of the year, to speak to AAA and the Foundation.

Counter acknowledges that the Foundation avoids hosting guests who might spark controversy.

"When we put on events we have to make sure we bring everyone together," Counter said, noting that cultural issues often intersect with political differences.

John E. Dowling, Cabot professor of the natural sciences and master of Leverett House, said that Leverett is glad to host Foundation speakers.

"These are role models for our students," Dowling said. "When we've had some of these guests it's been standing room only."

A Multicultural Center?

Counter notes that certain Houses, such as Leverett, have been leaders in supporting Foundation activities. However, he acknowledges that cultural and ethnic groups on campus often have trouble finding space for events, and turn to him for help.

"You can see why people say if we had a building here we can just use it all the time," Counter said.

However, the Foundation has not taken a position on the long-held demand for a multicultural student center. Such demands originated in the 1970s, when students demanded the creation of a Third World Center.

But Harvard officials, notably Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III, have repeatedly refused those demands, saying the Foundation is an adequate institution for promoting diversity at the College.

Ravi K. Dixit '00, a member of the SAC representing the South Asian Association, said that the Foundation should be fighting for a multicultural student center.

"Personally I think it's a fit that if you have a Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations they should fight for a center for intercultural and race relations," Dixit said.

But Counter said that a multicultural student center should not be necessary.

"I think that Harvard is a very unique place," Counter said. "Every building is a multi-cultural center."

Dixit said that he appreciated the Foundation's current role but that he felt there was a need to explore the issues in greater depth.

"I would like to challenge the Foundation to think of culture more deeply, look into other aspects besides just Cultural Rhythms, and begin dialogue between certain groups about differences and similarities," Dixit said.

"In Cultural Rhythms there's no dialogue, we can't ask questions and learn something I think more profound about each other and where we come from," he added.

Counter described guest speakers and panel discussions as the educational arm of the Foundation.

"Professors join to make an academic atmosphere...but students run the panel," Counter said.

"Whatever we do we want to be educational," he added. "I'm here to help students produce these programs."

James, the SAC co-chair, agreed with Counter.

"I see both events like Cultural Rhythms and panel discussions about political issues as part of the Foundation's role," she said. "I don't think you can exclude one from the other.