Last week, Harvard administrators confronted several first-years for their recent appearance in The Crimson’s weekend magazine, Fifteen Minutes (FM), which included references to underage drinking. While I realize that Harvard seems to think that its students should only amuse themselves through the arts and intellectual discussions about Kant, this latest action by the Freshman Dean’s Office (FDO) seems simply ludicrous.
The University already makes too much of its status in loco parentis; it sets up absurd 1 a.m. room-party curfews and alcohol restrictions, and then wonders why people flock to the finals clubs. Harvard’s social scene is a nonentity compared to that of almost any other school in the country. For first-year students, the social scene is often particularly bleak. It was quite refreshing to read about a group of students truly disfruiting Harvard’s weekend offerings. Furthermore, the actions of the students profiled in the article were in no way dangerous or abnormal for people of their age; in fact, they showed far more restraint and responsibility than typical college students. While the University as a liberal arts school does have a responsibility to the students outside the realm of the intellectual, it should not impede normal social activity amongst them.
This latest act by the FDO also serves to impede the community-building efforts of FM. Many students enjoy reading about the weekend activities of other students on campus; FM helps to provide a sense of community for an often-disconnected Harvard populace. By using FM as a sort of informant, the administration weakens its ability to act as a bridge between students. Harvard’s weekend social activities are no secret to anyone. For the administration to pretend that seeing it in print would startle anyone is simply pretentious.
Yes, this latest act by the FDO is more than a little disappointing. Intimidation of students, while not really surprising, is something which one would hope not to see from a school of Harvard’s caliber. The administration needs to relax, and stop trying to force undergraduates to fit into its picture of the model Harvard student.
—FRANCIS S. MARCEL-KEYES
Read more in Opinion
Remembering September 11thRecommended Articles
-
New Face in the YardLike the new tenant in an old house, Elizabeth S. Nathans is rearranging the furniture. Since she assumed the post
-
Asst. Dean of Freshmen Sparagana ResignsThe Freshman Dean's Office (FDO) will be without a familiar face next semester when Assistant Dean of Freshmen Eleanor Sparagana
-
Dancing Flash Mob Brightens AnnenbergAs the Class of 2014 experiences reading period for the first time, many students find themselves struggling with the stresses ...
-
Freshman Dean’s Office Goes Green -
UC Passes New Fiscal BudgetIn its first meeting of the year, the Undergraduate Council voted unanimously Sunday to pass a new annual fiscal budget, which increased the amount of money allocated to the House Committees and the new Freshman Class Committee.
-
With Three of Four Resident Deans Turning Over, FDO Completes HiresThe Freshman Dean’s Office has filled the vacancies created by the departures from the office of three of its four freshman resident deans this summer.
