PUBLIC INITIATIONS

One of the features that has marked the policy of Harvard University in its handling of what might be called the private conduct of its students has always been a marked avoidance of any regulations which would in any way smack of paternalism. It is a good policy but it implies a sense of responsibility and a working knowledge of the dictates of good taste on the part of her undergraduates. To an almost remarkable degree it has been successful. But in the case of the annual initiations of the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770, there has been an increasing tendency to impose upon the leniency of the authorities.

Public drunkeness which results in conduct objectionable to non-participants has grown to be looked upon in modern societies as a violation, of taste and, public decency. There is obviously heavy drinking in connection with the Pudding running and there is reason to believe that this public display or drinking and its unfortunate results are sanctioned and even encouraged by those managing the initiations. Women students are regularly seen in the Yard and in the class room buildings. It is an affront to them and a slur upon Harvard that they are forced to run a gauntlet of drunken glances, bawdy ballads, and obscene recitations in order to attend their lectures.

Yesterday morning a man quietly mounting the steps of the New Fogg Museum was thrown violently down the whole flight by one of the neophytes for no other apparent reason than that he was born and brought up in the Orient. A passerby on Quincy Street was embarrased by public aspersion on his virility. When drinking or initiation requirements lead to this sort of thing it has been time to stop long before.

Besides the numerous breaches of taste which occurred yesterday, such a mess was made upon Widener steps that the University had five men working five hours to clear it away. Whether there is still a place at Harvard for initiations essentially inoffensive but still childish and collegiate is not now the point. It will be unfortunate if the College authorities feel forced to break with custom and interfere with a situation which should be corrected by the individuals directly responsible. It will be a sorry reflection upon Harvard maturity if preparatory school correction must be meted out from above.