Weinstein, a member of a semi-secret Sorrento Square social organization which used to occasionally publish a so-called humor magazine, will deliver the Ivy oration, the only speech whose guidelines require humor.

"Ivy is humorous so you hope the submissions are funny," Hootnick said. "Some are funnier than others."

Weinstein, who could not be reached for comment last night, has also performed original songs at Club Passim and the Arts First festival.

Hicks promised that his Class Ode--three new verses to the College's alma mater, "Fair Harvard" --will include elements of levity as well.

"It's not intended to be falling-down funny but more to raise a smile," said Hicks, an economics concentrator originally from Indianapolis, Ind. "It's light verse...It's stuff that the Class of 1999 will appreciate."

"I'm not going to include too much rag-on-Harvard humor," Hicks added. "That could go on for 20 verses."

Hicks said his singing experience with the Harvard Krokodiloes prompted him to write the ode.

"We do a lot of writing for the group," he said. "We have to write a lot of original material, and [writing the ode] fits right in with that stuff."