"I am not entirely sure that my children'sdecency would survive [at Harvard]. There's acertain level of shame from upbringing that'sinstilled in children; Harvard now seems to beintent on destroying that shame," he said.
Brian J. Burt, the president of SLLR, echoedhis concern for Harvard's environment. "Thefounders of Harvard would be shocked at whatHarvard stands for today. There has been acomplete abdication of spiritual and moralaction," Burt said.
Burt attempted to convey the importance thatHarvard is an institution that wields power beyondthe borders of Cambridge. "Harvard is not just aninstitution, but a cultural leader. Actionsinfluence the general culture because they havethe Harvard stamp of approval," Burt said.
He especially emphasized Memorial Church'sdecision this summer to recognize same-sexcommitment ceremonies as an glaring example ofHarvard's need for a "moral and spiritualrenewal."
"Even though Harvard is a hostile environment,I hope that other students will carry on [withSLLR]," Burt said.
"We have begun to identify whole huge issueswhich Harvard either ignores or looks at itthrough a liberal perspective. We need to reclaimthe arena by using common sense.