Finances, Recruiting Woes Plague Student Activities

Extracurricular groups at the College are having more financial problems and more difficulty in recruiting key personnel than ever before, according to Dean Watson. In a discussion of the changes in undergraduate activities in the last five years, Watson, who oversees extracurricular affairs, picked these two factors as the most noticeable.

"Because of the time-consuming nature of many extracurricular jobs," Watson said, "student feel they can not ford to spend the necessary time if they hope to go on to graduate school. Many want to work, but can't. Thus, Watson commented, groups have combined about a difficulty in getting personnel in their competitions.

Watson and Dean Monro saw also a trend for groups to hold fund raising campaigns outside of the organization. The clubs have less pride in running activities and finances completely on their own," said Watson. He noted more guests from clubs for financial support from the College Administration.

Loss Of Independence

Both Deans pointed out that handouts from the Administration inevitably mean loss of some independence for groups. Still there has been little resistance to sacrifice complete autonomy of financial aid. The Band and the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra have lost some dependence, said Watson, because of to University purse-strings.

According to Monro, the College prefers to avoid offering monetary support, because strings are always attached.

"Most groups are not run in a business-like way," Watson pointed out. They are not set-up for the express purchase of making money, there is little business experience on the clubs, and there is little cash on hand to use. Art and literary groups, especially, are less responsible financially."

More Political Clubs

Monro noted an increase in political clubs. Students in the last five years have been more sensitive to politics and world affairs, and this has been reported in their extra-curricular activities.

He saw also a trend towards more international groups and towards more service projects, such as Harvard Undergraduate Teachers, Project Jarba, object Tanganyika, PBH Mental Hospital workers--all recent additions to college extracurricular life. This trend related also to the increased reliance in outside fund raising, said Monro.

Neutral Toward Demonstrations

Watson commented later that the college's approach toward political activist groups wanting to stage demonstrations is not one of endorsement or encouragement. Monro and Watson said their role here was to help the groups are they started their projects but not encourage or discourage the projects.

Freshman Dean von Stade noted that trend in extracurricular activities. The girls are taking over more," he added.

According to Monro, the College prefers to avoid offering monetary support, because strings are always attached.

"Most groups are not run in a business-like way," Watson pointed out. They are not set-up for the express purchase of making money, there is little business experience on the clubs, and there is little cash on hand to use. Art and literary groups, especially, are less responsible financially."

More Political Clubs

Monro noted an increase in political clubs. Students in the last five years have been more sensitive to politics and world affairs, and this has been reported in their extra-curricular activities.

He saw also a trend towards more international groups and towards more service projects, such as Harvard Undergraduate Teachers, Project Jarba, object Tanganyika, PBH Mental Hospital workers--all recent additions to college extracurricular life. This trend related also to the increased reliance in outside fund raising, said Monro.

Neutral Toward Demonstrations

Watson commented later that the college's approach toward political activist groups wanting to stage demonstrations is not one of endorsement or encouragement. Monro and Watson said their role here was to help the groups are they started their projects but not encourage or discourage the projects.

Freshman Dean von Stade noted that trend in extracurricular activities. The girls are taking over more," he added.