Law School Dean of Students Suzanne Richardson, who is a non-voting member of the board, speaks very highly of the job done by the student representatives with whom she has worked.

"I have the highest respect for the students that serve on our Ad Board. They are always very professional," she says.

Lewis says that he has heard from colleagues that students on committees are sometimes less inclined to see the need for change than faculty members.

And, he adds, "Indeed, the impression I get from colleagues elsewhere is that committees with students tend act in a more black-or-white way--more reluctant to sustain a charge at all, and then more inclined to respond harshly."

In addition, Lewis says, it would be difficult for students to serve on the College ad board because of the confidentiality issues they would face.

"The confidentiality of our process would make it tough for a student member, who would doubtless feel that he or she was 'representing' students and yet could not talk about the actual cases being heard. I think there would be pressure and conflict in such a role," he wrote.

Barbara Grayson, the third-year student who serves on the Law School's ad board, does not see the situation in the same light. She says she feels the confidentiality of the cases she hears makes it easier for her to be a student representative.