First-years opened their mailboxes yesterday to a letter from the Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) encouraging them to actively seek more interaction with faculty members. Faculty received a similar note earlier this year.

The letter, drafted by the CUE's student representatives, suggested attending office hours, asking a professor to lunch or becoming a research assistant in order to "take advantage of one of Harvard's most valuable resources."

But although first-years who received the letter said the suggestions were well-intentioned, few expressed surprise at the information the letter contained.

"It was stuff I already knew," said Gregory R. Friedman '04

Felicia Rosario '04 said she doubted the letter would have real impact on the way first-years approach professors.

"It just seems like professors would have better things to do than go out to lunch with a freshman," Rosario said.

According to Dean of Undergraduate Education Susan G. Pedersen '81-'82, the letter had been in the works since last spring when CUE student representatives began looking for ways to promote student-faculty interaction.

Pedersen said first-years need to be made especially aware of the opportunities to find mentors among faculty.