Basil said in response to Curry’s statements, “We don’t think these are major changes.”

McGrath Lewis agreed, saying Curry’s sentiments were unnecessarily extreme.

“It’s more dramatic than I had ever thought,” she said of Curry’s reaction. “Our plan is not to exclude Crimson Key.”

“We have tried to reassure them when we met with them that we regard them as the major conduit through which guides come to us,” McGrath Lewis added.

Crimson Key members are not expected to be put at much of a competitive disadvantage in the new guide selection process, according to McGrath Lewis.

“My guess is that the Crimson Key will have an advantage because they’re so good at it,” she said. “The Crimson Key tour guides ought to be the primary contenders in this.”

Basil said that the admissions office will try to put the changes into effect soon.

“We do hope to implement this plan as soon as we can get this up and running,” she said.

Curry said that the organization’s leadership will meet with McGrath Lewis and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons ’67 to discuss the changes when the two officials return from their current vacations.

“We more than anything would like to keep the great relationship we’ve had for years,” Curry said.

Founded in 1948, the Crimson Key Society also coordinates Freshman Week each fall, and also assists with parents’ weekends, Commencement, and other events.

—Staff writer Alexander J. Blenkinsopp can be reached at blenkins@fas.harvard.edu.