Nader Calls for Student Activism

The Harvard community should use its prestige as a tool for social action, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, Harvard Law '58, said in a speech last night to a near-capacity crowd at Science Center B.

Nader called on students to become more active in social issues affecting the University and the outside community. "Stop selling yourself short. You're overrated and underactive," he said.

He encouraged more student awareness of and participation in university governance.

"Don't ever excuse yourself on the basis that you're too busy and that you'll open your eyes to issues when you get out," Nader said. "it doesn't work that way. When you are vectored out of Harvard you will be oriented for the rest of your life. You will never again be as free to pioneer, question, challenge, and innovate," he said.

"Sometimes one issue is the key to open up a whole menu of contoversial issues. Find it here at Harvard and watch it put the full agenda in front of you," he added.

Harvard students at European and Canadian colleges, or those at many community colleges in this country, Nader said. He blamed this in part on the Harvard administration's policy toward student activism.

"The university knows the laws of student attrition. It knows how long it takes to war you out or wait you out," he said.

Changes Nader suggested to improve student-administration communication included a "meet your rulers" day to let the student body talk with members of the Harvard Corporation, an annual "state of the student" speech given by the president of the University, and student participation in the selection of honorary degree recipients.

"You can find quotes by [Harvard President] Bok on almost every side of every issues. That could mean he's a Renaissance man or a pendulum. How often are you blessed with his presence?" Nader asked.

Nader also pushed for a Harvard extension of MassPIRG, state branch of a worldwide system of student-run Pubic Interest Research Groups.

"More student energy is devoted to video games than to MassPIRG, and look what it's doing--none of it coming out of Harvard University because [Harvard isn't] participating," he said.

Among other suggestion, Nader said that students should look into the administration of the Harvard Coop.

"Coop is short for co-operative. Look at the by-laws and charter to see how difficult they've made it for you, the presumed owner, to change the board. It's a priceless opportunity. Set up a checklist for whatever causes you want and assign rebates to them," he said.