'Cliffe Council Members Favor RGA Constitution

Four members of the Radcliffe College Council indicated last night that the governing board will approve the Government Association's constitution at its meeting this afternoon.

If the 12-member Council votes to endorse the RGA, the constitution, giving the Association jurisdiction over College social rules, will go into effect next September.

"I think the general opinion is in favor of it," Charles A. Coolidge '17 declared. "In principle, the things is desirable and I'd be very surprised if it didn't get through."

Margaret W. Stimpson said she was "impressed by the amount of work that had gone into the new constitution," but added, "we might not agree to all the things the students are asking for." She approved the Administration's decision to extend unlimited sign-outs to juniors and seniors only, noting that the Council "felt sophomores should not be allowed to sign out till any hour."

"The success of the new rules will depend entirely on the way they are enforced," Mrs. Stimpson said. "It's up to the College to strengthen the current sign-out procedures."

Complicated Set-Up

Calling the RGA constitution "an elaborate, complicated set up," Robert H. Gardiner '37, College Treasurer, said. "It's not anywhere near perfect, but it's a beginning. With the possibility of minor modifications, it would be likely to be approved."

Wilma A. Kerby-Miller, Vice-President of the College, found "nothing objectionable" in the document. She pointed out that the rules changes have become less controversial since they were modified to include only upperclassmen and passed by the Administration rather than by the RGA.

"This is a minor issue: the Council could do more important things for Radcliffe, Susan S. Lyman said. Along with President Bunting, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., and Thaddeus R. Beal, she declined to discuss the new constitution until after the meeting today. The other Council members were unavailable for comment.

Adele D. Smith '63, president of the RGA, said yesterday that the Administration's decision to limit the new rules to upperclassmen "was made in consultation with the RGA officers."

"In December, we're going to evaluate the system," she said. "If it works well, we will let second-term sophomores sign out until any hour."

Miss Smith suggested that the modification of the RGA recommendation "will abate public reaction" outside the College and "will make people think more about the indications of the rules change."