Despite the constrained financial situation, the Committee on House Life rejected a proposal to increase House committee funding. Yet just this past month, it was reported that Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 would seek to increase funding for the council. While this is a welcome announcement for cash strapped student groups who benefit from Finance Committee grants, it sends a message that the administration clings to the ideas of the past, viewing the council as the best organization to represent Harvard undergraduates.
Despite what The Crimson coverage might imply, the most important elections this December for improving life at Harvard will not be the council elections, but rather the House Committee elections. With a little student ingenuity, and greater support from House Masters and Deans, the House Committees have the ability to build community and unite students from a variety of backgrounds, making Harvard "feel like a real college."
Brian R. Smith '02 is an economics concentrator in Quincy House. He is the Quincy House social chair and a former member of the Undergraduate Council.