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E-Mail Updates Students on Clubs

Dean's Mass Mailing Well-Received

The Dean of Students office sent out a mass e-mail yesterday in an effort provide students with updated information about Harvard clubs and organizations.

The letter, which was sent to all undergraduates, included information about a number of organizations' current projects, upcoming events, contact persons and Web page and mailing list addresses.

A total of 23 clubs were mentioned in the letter.

According to the Dean of Students' office, the mass e-mailing was an experimental program in response to several requests by student organizations.

Clubs were asked to submit information to the Dean's office at the start of this semester.

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Most students said they thought the mailing was a good way of providing them with information about student-run organizations.

"I was pretty happy they sent it to me," said Esti M. Iturralde '00. "It was a good piece of information."

Representatives from organizations mentioned in the letter said they were excited to be publicized to such a large number of undergraduates.

"It's one more way that Harvard students can find out about extra-curricular activities," said Howard Steyn '97, president of the International Relations Council. "At the very least it raises our campus visibility level."

Eric M. Silberstein '97, a member of the Fresh Pond Enrichment Program, said he thought the e-mail should have been sent out even sooner to help with recruiting.

"I wish it were done earlier in the semester," he said. "It's a great way of reaching those who may have missed your posters."

Eileen P. Harrity '99, a member of the Harvard Irish Cultural Society, said the mailing was especially helpful for some of the lesser-known groups on campus.

"We're a small group and a lot of people don't know about us," she said. "I think it's good publicity."

However, some students objected to the idea of being sent unsolicited e-mails.

David A.J. Winslow '00 said he did not like the idea of receiving too many unwelcome e-mails informing him about student organizations.

"I don't want to get mail from everybody," he said. "[But] as long as it's one message and controlled by the Dean of Students, I think it's a good idea."

David W. Egan '00 said he thought the e-mail was not effective.

"I don't see how it's any different from what we get bombarded with at the beginning of the year," he said.

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