To the Ears of Babes

John L. Clive, professor of History--"Be skeptical of everything you hear, without deciding there's nothing to be learned. Take your work seriously but beware of taking yourself too seriously. Don't feel restricted by classrooms and catalogues--let your own intellectual curiosity be your chief guide. And remember that occasional despair is the common condition of humanity."

Archie C. Epps III, dean of students--"I think the most important thing is to try and listen carefully to everything that is said during the orientation week period because they will need to know how Harvard works and how it can work for them."

S. Allen Counter, associate professor of Biology--"What I've learned in the ten years that I've been here is that the students who have problems are those who let this place overwhelm them. The key is to put Harvard in perspective and realize that the purpose here like any other school is to get a well-rounded education. All that glitters is not what it seems to be. In short, don't be overwhelmed by the aura. Look for the substance."

Dean Fox--"Welcome. We hope you enjoy this place and make good use of it. Remember that there are lots of people here to help."

Nancy Randolph, special assistant to the president--"Assert yourselves to awesome and marvelous tasks to begin with your manifestations and limitations to share and then to participate, involving yourselves in the lives of many different people you will meet and work with. Let your being here make a difference."

Ethel Klein, associate professor of Government--"Find support systems. One of the real problems here is that the school draws from people from all over who are all used to being a success. Then they show up here and find there are an awful lot of special people. It breeds competitiveness and intimidation. But you all have to remember that you are all special in your own way. Harvard picks people who are unique in some things. You should recognize that everybody has something to contribute. You shouldn't think you have to be the best in everything."

Jorge I. Dominguez, associate professor of Government--"I would tell them not to be intimidated since that is what happens to any number of them very soon by comparing board scores and looking at the buildings. In my freshman year at Yale, I was comparing college board scores and discovered that I was in the bottom tenth. The Yale Daily News quickly found out the scores and printed them and there I was in the bottom tenth. I remember the dean saying 'We're all here for a purpose. I can't remember what your purpose is, but surely there must be one.' I went on to fail my first quiz, which was the only one I failed. It was a frightening experience but I kept believing I had a purpose. The first semester of freshman year is unlike any other time in your life. Don't be intimidated and hang on."

David Riesman '31, Ford Professor of Social Sciences--Aside from advising freshmen to take advantage of all the opportunities of college and urging all newcomers to try something different from what they're used to. Riesman says, "I would say to students that they should not worry if they do not have any idea of what they want to do in life. Those who have a clear idea often intimidate what I believe is the majority who do not, who are not sure of their tentative choices. Especially in a time of great uncertainty about the future, what is advantageous for postcollegiate life is invariably an ability to express oneself clearly in written and oral form, a minimum ability to handle quantitative material, and the intellectual flexibility that Harvard at its best encourages."

Samuel H. Beer, Eaton Professor of the Science of Government--"All you need is courage. That's the important thing. Everybody who's here is bad enough."

Dr. Warren E. C. Wacker, director of University Health Services--"Enjoy themselves, and work hard."

John P. Reardon Jr. '60, director of athletics--"To intercollegiate athletes: I advise them not to take themselves too seriously on the field of play. To intramural athletes, you ought to take yourselves more seriously than in the past."

Anne Ramsey, director of budgets--"My advice to women--Never doubt your ability or allow your confidence to be shaken. For men the same applies but I add--learn to better understand the concerns of women at Harvard and elsewhere."

President Horner--"My advice is the same as always. Keep your options open and knock on every door."