LOOKING FOR ADVICE

This month's report released by the Standing Committee on Advising and Counseling reveals what we already knew--academic advising at the College is disturbingly inconsistent, with a few departments offering strong guidance and too many doing a poor job.

The Faculty members and student representatives proposed two especially useful plans of attack to improve advising--establishing a minimum standard of quality across all departments and encouraging the appointment of senior Faculty members as head tutors or directors of undergraduate studies.

Harvard takes pride in its decentralized system, and departments hold tight to their autonomy. But if there's one area which should be watched and standardized, it is advising. Without strong prompting from University Hall, some departments may never recognize that their undergraduates deserve careful attention.   Feb. 11, 1999

CELLUCCI'S CAPITAL ERROR

Governor A. Paul Cellucci has proposed a broad bill to make conviction of some 16 categories of murder punishable by death.

Practically speaking, the bill makes little sense. Not only are violent crime rates in Massachusetts much lower than in those states which enforce the death penalty, but they have been declining rapidly in recent years. Capital punishment isn't necessary to deter crime, as Cellucci claims.

But the most pressing practical concern of the bill is its inherent inability to prevent the executions of wrongly convicted inmates. Capital punishment might be acceptable to those whose thirst for revenge clouds their rational sense of universal justice before the law. But the majority of us know better.   Feb. 24, 1999

BLOCKING CLINIC DOORS

The continued violence against abortion clinics and abortion providers is a threat to Americans' constitutional rights. The intimidation and harassment of clinic workers has led to a decline in doctors willing to provide abortions as well as created a culture of fear for those who go to them.

Most anti-abortion activists do not condone these acts, however many of the major anti-abortion groups do not condemn them either. If opponents of abortion rights wish to give their movement any integrity, they must eliminate the violent elements which now conduct terrible acts under their banner.   March 16, 1999

EXCELLENCE ON ICE

Every once in a while, Harvard fields an athletic team that excels on the national level. Sometimes that team is special because it overcame seemingly insurmountable odds with sheer will and determination. But sometimes a team is special not because of one spectacular moment but because it has consistently dominated its competition for the entire season--a team so far ahead of the pack that it seems almost surreal.

Players on the women's hockey team have represented their countries in international tournaments, won Olympic gold medals and shattered school records. But these women represent more than just excellence on the ice. They have become the standard bearers for women's hockey and have embraced the role as ambassadors of their sport. The team has conducted hockey clinics and other activities, attracting players for a game traditionally reserved for the boys. Their role in raising the profile of their sport and sharing their success with their community is what makes these players truly special.   March 24, 1999

WHEN THE DUST SETTLES

The organizers of the Rally for Justice in front of University Hall faced a daunting challenge: How could the three groups protesting each make their cases without overshadowing one another?

The answer still isn't clear. But the multiple aims of the Rally seem to have been completely overshadowed by a decision that was nearly a foregone conclusion--the full Faculty's vote to dismiss D. Drew Douglas, Class of 2000. Given their options, the Faculty made the right choice--to dismiss Douglas. But protestors demanded expulsion, an option which was never before the Faculty. At some point, the Faculty needs to make a policy decision to clarify when expulsion is appropriate. We believe rape deserves the harshest punishment Harvard can impose--expulsion. If, as the administration has argued, dismissal is effectively the same as expulsion, the College needs to clarify this distinction.   March 11, 1999