“In terms of political action I guess they can be seen as having an activist role,” Hawkins says. “You pick your battles.”

But Okunseinde says it is not necessary for the president to consolidate all the different viewpoints of the membership.

“It’s really up to the president to be cognizant of who they’re representing and how best to serve them...it’s not trying to temper everyone’s vision to one vision,” Okunseinde says.

Moore says the BSA tries to accommodate the interests within the group by organizing a variety of events and promoting a variety of issues.

“We make options available; that’s the most community organizations can do,” Amos says. “It’s like you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.”

A Question of Style

The BSA president’s duties, as mandated by the constitution, include moderating meetings, meeting with leaders of other black student groups and being the BSA spokesperson.

But many members say the style of the president may be more important for the BSA than any of his or her practical tasks.

Okunseinde writes in her position paper that the president does not have to be outspoken in order to be successful.

“Leaders aren’t always revolutionists/radicals,” Okunseinde writes. “One can be quiet and effective, still knowing when to speak out as a visible entity.”

Fred O. Smith ’04, outgoing BSA vice president, says that there is no template for the BSA president to follow—instead he or she can craft his or her own leadership style.

“Next year’s president might not necessarily be as vocal as some presidents, but she’ll get the job done,” Smith says.

Smith says that he believes BSA presidents have been “very moderate” during his years at Harvard—although Smith does not specify whether this is a positive or negative trend.

But the president does not always decide what role he or she plays—it is the BSA constituency that largely dictates the direction of the group, according to many members.

This balance of power is vaguely outlined in the BSA constitution, with the president fulfilling the duties of chairing meetings, heading the board and acting as the spokesperson.