No one yet knows which of these four candidates will eventually be chosen--or even if another, thus far hidden from public view, will emerge to take the post. The efforts of the Search Committee to shroud the process in secrecy have effectively prevented students from assessing the candidates' major interests or visions for change.
Under these circumstances, we do not feel it would be appropriate to endorse a candidate. But we are gravely concerned that the deliberations thus far have been nearly free from student influence. Though all four candidates are qualified for the position, there are important differences between them. Though the next president of Harvard will not be chosen by undergraduates, he or she must be prepared to lead them, and we urge the committee to take undergraduates' concerns into account.