Dunster Tutor Defends Views on Toaster Oven

Dunster House tutor Noel Ignatiev--whose opposition to Harvard's funding of a toaster oven reserved for kosher use has angered some Jewish students--defended his stance at a discussion in the house last night.

Ignatiev, a non-resident tutor, also expanded his objections yesterday to include the University's reimbursement of Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel for kosher meals served to students there.

"It seems to me that the logical extension of my argument is to oppose Harvard's funding of Hillel meals," Ignatiev said. "If that is the logical extension of what I'm saying, then I do not shrink from saying that and I do not shrink from the consequences."

In a letter last week to Dunster House Dining Hall Manager Gerald A. Ardolino, Ignatiev requested the removal of either the oven or the sign labelling its use as restricted, on the grounds that the appliance's use is restricted along sectarian lines.

The tutor said in his letter that the purchase of the oven by the Universi- ty demonstrates "improper partiality towardsone group."

However, at the forum, Ignatiev said again thathe would not object to the toaster if it werepurchased out of private funds.

Dunster House Master Karel F. Liem said lastweek that he would pay for the toaster himself,and Director of Dining Services Michael P. Berrysaid at the time that he would accept Liem'sdonation, though reluctantly.

As of yesterday, however, Ignatiev said he didnot know whether Berry had received or acceptedLiem's payment.

At last night's discussion, which was attendedby about a dozen Dunster residents, Ignatievresponded to arguments that the University'sfunding of the oven is not an issue of sectariandiscrimination.

"It's not discriminatory against individuals,"Ignatiev said. "But [the oven's] use is defined onsectarian grounds. There is nothing in themanufacturer's instructions accompanying thetoaster oven saying that the oven will bedestroyed if someone lays a pork chop in it."

Ignatiev said that the toaster oven isdifferent in several important respects from otherexamples of University sponsorship ofreligion-linked facilities, such as MemorialChurch.

"Anyone can use Mem Church for religious ornon-religious purposes," he said. "The issue ofthe appliance is the first and only example I knowof that fits into this category at all."

And the tutor said that providing food-serviceequipment for Orthodox Jewish students atUniversity expense should not be viewed as a formof affirmative action, despite the fact thatHarvard may in the past have discriminated againstJews.

"Being Black or being female is not a matter ofchoice," he said. "Being Jewish is not a matter ofchoice, perhaps, but keeping kosher is."

One student pointed out that Orthodox Jews arecharged mandatory board rates although theirdietary restrictions bar them from eating threefull meals a day at the College, since kosher mealservice is limited. Ignatiev responded by sayinghe opposes mandatory board "in the same way thatI'm against all taxes."

Students made the argument that the purchase ofthe oven was in line with the University's missionof fostering an integrated community, since itallowed students who keep kosher to eat in theirhouses with friends who do not keep kosher.

"I think [an integrated community is] apositive value, but I think secularism is apositive value," Ignatiev said. "And I thinksecularism is absolute."

Sensitivity?

After last night's forum, Allan S. Galper'93--a Crimson editor who originally petitionedHarvard Dining Services to expand its lunchtimekosher food offerings--said he was pleased withthe discussion. But Galper said he wasdisappointed that a house tutor would take aposition so insensitive to a segment of thestudent body.

"I was shocked to hear that he opposes myability to eat in the way my background requires,"Galper said, adding that he would feeluncomfortable approaching Ignatiev as a tutor onissues of concern to him as a traditional Jew.

But Dunster Senior Tutor Henriette L. Powersaid during the meeting that though she did notagree with Ignatiev, his behavior was in no wayinappropriate. "I feel very strongly that it's notthe role of every tutor in the house to becompatible with every student," Power said.

Hillel Coordinating Council Chair Shai A. Held'94, who did not attend the Dunster Housediscussion, said he was upset by Ignatiev'sopposition to Harvard's reimbursement of Hillelfor student meals.

"We are extremely disturbed that he continuesto demonstrate insensitivity and ignorance of theissues of concern to us," Held said.

In a resolution passed yesterday before theDunster meeting, the Hillel Coordinating Councilsaid it was "deeply concerned" about Ignatiev'sletter and that it plans to respond to the tutorin writing.

The final resolution was toned downsignificantly from an earlier draft, which wouldhave condemned Ignatiev and called upon him toissue a written apology to Harvard's Jewishcommunity.

The document approved last night also said thatHillel will from a "special committee" todisseminate information on campus about Jewishobservance of kosher laws.

In another resolution, the Coordinating councilextended its gratitude to Berry "for his effortsto meet the dietary needs of Jewish students."CrimsonJohn D. HamelONE FOR THE ROAD: Cantabrigians flock to arolling Chinese kitchen truck on a sunny dayearlier this month.

However, at the forum, Ignatiev said again thathe would not object to the toaster if it werepurchased out of private funds.

Dunster House Master Karel F. Liem said lastweek that he would pay for the toaster himself,and Director of Dining Services Michael P. Berrysaid at the time that he would accept Liem'sdonation, though reluctantly.

As of yesterday, however, Ignatiev said he didnot know whether Berry had received or acceptedLiem's payment.

At last night's discussion, which was attendedby about a dozen Dunster residents, Ignatievresponded to arguments that the University'sfunding of the oven is not an issue of sectariandiscrimination.

"It's not discriminatory against individuals,"Ignatiev said. "But [the oven's] use is defined onsectarian grounds. There is nothing in themanufacturer's instructions accompanying thetoaster oven saying that the oven will bedestroyed if someone lays a pork chop in it."

Ignatiev said that the toaster oven isdifferent in several important respects from otherexamples of University sponsorship ofreligion-linked facilities, such as MemorialChurch.

"Anyone can use Mem Church for religious ornon-religious purposes," he said. "The issue ofthe appliance is the first and only example I knowof that fits into this category at all."

And the tutor said that providing food-serviceequipment for Orthodox Jewish students atUniversity expense should not be viewed as a formof affirmative action, despite the fact thatHarvard may in the past have discriminated againstJews.

"Being Black or being female is not a matter ofchoice," he said. "Being Jewish is not a matter ofchoice, perhaps, but keeping kosher is."

One student pointed out that Orthodox Jews arecharged mandatory board rates although theirdietary restrictions bar them from eating threefull meals a day at the College, since kosher mealservice is limited. Ignatiev responded by sayinghe opposes mandatory board "in the same way thatI'm against all taxes."

Students made the argument that the purchase ofthe oven was in line with the University's missionof fostering an integrated community, since itallowed students who keep kosher to eat in theirhouses with friends who do not keep kosher.

"I think [an integrated community is] apositive value, but I think secularism is apositive value," Ignatiev said. "And I thinksecularism is absolute."

Sensitivity?

After last night's forum, Allan S. Galper'93--a Crimson editor who originally petitionedHarvard Dining Services to expand its lunchtimekosher food offerings--said he was pleased withthe discussion. But Galper said he wasdisappointed that a house tutor would take aposition so insensitive to a segment of thestudent body.

"I was shocked to hear that he opposes myability to eat in the way my background requires,"Galper said, adding that he would feeluncomfortable approaching Ignatiev as a tutor onissues of concern to him as a traditional Jew.

But Dunster Senior Tutor Henriette L. Powersaid during the meeting that though she did notagree with Ignatiev, his behavior was in no wayinappropriate. "I feel very strongly that it's notthe role of every tutor in the house to becompatible with every student," Power said.

Hillel Coordinating Council Chair Shai A. Held'94, who did not attend the Dunster Housediscussion, said he was upset by Ignatiev'sopposition to Harvard's reimbursement of Hillelfor student meals.

"We are extremely disturbed that he continuesto demonstrate insensitivity and ignorance of theissues of concern to us," Held said.

In a resolution passed yesterday before theDunster meeting, the Hillel Coordinating Councilsaid it was "deeply concerned" about Ignatiev'sletter and that it plans to respond to the tutorin writing.

The final resolution was toned downsignificantly from an earlier draft, which wouldhave condemned Ignatiev and called upon him toissue a written apology to Harvard's Jewishcommunity.

The document approved last night also said thatHillel will from a "special committee" todisseminate information on campus about Jewishobservance of kosher laws.

In another resolution, the Coordinating councilextended its gratitude to Berry "for his effortsto meet the dietary needs of Jewish students."CrimsonJohn D. HamelONE FOR THE ROAD: Cantabrigians flock to arolling Chinese kitchen truck on a sunny dayearlier this month.