Path to Grape Referendum Has Many Unexpected Turns

By Nicholas A. Nash, CONTRIBUTING WRITER December 3, 1997

I support only the serving of California grapes in the dining halls if they are picked by a UFW member.

I support only the serving of California grapes in the dining halls if they are picked by a UFW member or [grapes that] come from Chile.

November 19, 1997

Kovacevich debates Roel Saldivar '01, a member of Raza, over the grape issue in an event sponsored by the Harvard Political Union.

Students clutching small candles gather in the evening on the steps of Memorial Church for a vigil to recognize the plight of workers in the grape field of California.

November 20, 1997

In response to a flurry of student protests over the four new voting options, HDS decides to postpone the referendum.

"There's no way we could have done this right and still do it tomorrow," McNitt says.

November 24, 1997

Leaders of various pro-grape and anti-grape student groups meet with HDS to resolve the confusion caused by the six option ballot.

November 25, 1997

After continued talks with student leaders, HDS releases a new ballot with two options:

* YES, I believe Dining Services should serve grapes of any kind.

* NO, I believe Dining Services should not serve grapes unless and until grapes become available with a United Farm Workers (UFW) union label.

HDS reschedules the referendum for Dec. 3. Student leaders representing pro-grape and anti-grape groups endorse a moratorium on campaigning in the dining halls on the day of the vote. Leaders also agree that "the out-come in the Great Grape Referendum represents the end of the issue, and in no way represents a position on the part of Harvard University or its departments," according to HDS.

December 3, 1997

Referendum voting takes place today in undergraduate dining halls throughout the day. Students will vote electronically using their Harvard ID card. There will be no absentee ballots.

--Caitlin E. Anderson, Christopher T. Boyd, Tara L. Colon, Jenny E. Heller, Rosalind S. Helderman, Lisa B. Keyfetz, Caille M. Millner, Nicholas A. Nash, Jacqueline A. Newmyer and Laura L. Tarter contributed to the reporting of this story.