The Faculty: When students miss classes, the entire mission of the University suffers. Moreover, the Faculty is increasingly being caught up in the living wage struggle. As students fall further behind on their assignments, professors are spending more of their own time trying to determine policies for missed work. Having 30 students miss finals will be qualitatively worse, and any solution that can resolve the issue before exams begin is well worth considering.

The University: Currently, the protest is hitting Harvard where it hurts most—reputation. The contrast of a $19 billion endowment with wages of $8 and $9 dollars an hour makes Harvard look heartless. And, with the issue unresolved, Harvard seems rigid and autocratic. However, an increase in wages will reverse this perception. Harvard will quickly move to a leadership role on an important economic and moral issue, and the University will show that it isn’t a large, impersonal, autocratic corporation. Instead, it will prove itself an institution that responds to democratic forces and is able to change with the times. Having responded to the protest, no one will be able to argue rationally that a small cabal controls Harvard. Even more importantly, the University will have handled a very difficult situation with dignity and security.

So far there has been little discord or violence involved in the protests. However, with each passing day protesters, building occupants, police officers, administrators, students and faculty grow more tired and frustrated. While a violent outbreak is still unlikely, the only way to guarantee it won’t occur is to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Now is that time. Rudenstine, corporation members, student activists, please seize the mutual opportunity.

Brett Flehinger is a lecturer in the history department.