Term Bill Charges for RUS Cause Dissent Among Women

Women continued yesterday to demand explanations for the five dollar charge on their term bills for the Radcliffe Union of Students.

RUS is the only undergraduate organization funded by the term bill. Louise E. Donovan, assistant to the dean of Radcliffe College, said that it has always been Radcliffe policy to charge for RUS.

When the Comptroller's Office of Radcliffe merged with Harvard's in 1971, the charge for RUS was dropped because it conflicted with the Harvard policy of not funding undergraduate organizations, Donovan said.

She explained that Radcliffe trustees, responding to RUS requests, asked that the charge be reinstated, and the Harvard Corporation agreed to do this.

The merger and ensuing complications in the Comptroller's Office, were responsible for a three-term lapse in RUS funding. The Spring term bill is the first since 1971 to contain the five dollar charge, Donovan said.

Lowell House CHUL representative Mitchell L. Wolfe '74 said that many women living at Harvard felt RUS provided very few services for them. He said there is a meeting planned for all Lowell House women to discuss the billing.

Deborah F. Neipris '73 said that she felt that it was unequitable that any organization be supported by term bills. "An organization should be supported voluntarily," she said.

Investigation

Responding to student inquiry, Radcliffe trustee Beth I. Best is investigating the precedent for the practice of funding RUS from term bills. She said that the actual allocation of RUS funds was not involved in her investigation.

RUS president Mary W. Lightbody '74 said that the lapse in funding has caused a cutback in RUS services, particularly in RUS newsletter. She said that the resulting lack of communication is responsible for many women feeling that RUS provides few services for them.

Lightbody said that there will be a notice describing RUS projects at all the Houses when RUS elections take place next Monday and Tuesday.