In response to "Complying with Title IX: How Harvard Interprets the Law" (News, Oct. 18), I would like to clarify Harvard's position on the role Title IX plays in determining College policy.

While the story quotes directly from a variety of sources inside and outside Harvard on the interpretation of Title IX, there is not a single quotation or personal citation of any Harvard authority in support of the notion that Harvard's policy towards opening undergraduate programs is driven mainly by Title IX considerations. Indeed, the following excerpts from the e-mail I sent The Crimson during reporting of the story assert exactly the opposite: "[Harvard] might do many things that are not understood to be mandated under Title IX. It has never been Harvard's objective to do the minimum that Title IX requires in terms of gender equity." In fact, I specifically stated that the College does not fall back on Title IX as its rationale for opening previously single-sex programs to men and women.

To repeat the basic point: Harvard will not do anything it believes to be illegal under Title IX, but it does not regard Title IX as prescribing the maximum it should do in order to create equal opportunities for women (and men) in Harvard College. Harvard's stance towards opening all its programs (except individual athletic teams and choral singing groups) to men and women is not driven by an interpretation that Title IX made us do it.

Harry R. Lewis '68

Oct. 19, 1999

The author is the Dean of Harvard College.