Rudenstine, Overseers Questioned Speaker

Both President Neil L. Rudenstine and several members of the Board of Overseers seriously questioned the selection of Gen. Colin L. Powell as commencement speaker, a source said yesterday.

Many Overseers vocally opposed the choice of Powell in a closed-door meeting in February because of the Chair of the Joint Chief's support for the military's ban on gays and lesbians.

In a statement released following the announcement of Powell as Commencement speaker last week, Rudenstine stressed Powell's record in the gulf war and reaffirmed Harvard opposition to the military ban on gays and lesbians.

"He has played a crucial role in helping to shape global policies concerning the use of armed forces in the complex environment of the post Cold War era," said Rudenstine. "He is also a thoughtful and eloquent speaker."

But according to a University official, who requested anonymity, Rudenstine raised some objections to the choice of Powell at the December meeting of the Overseers. "[The president] expressed some concerns with the [choice]," the source said.

Although few overseers opposed the choice at the December meeting, many members absent from that meeting spoke out forcefully in February after the invitation to Powell had been issued.

The source said the discussion at that meeting was not long, but did contain some disagreement about the appropriateness of Powell as a speaker. "There were concerns that Powell had taken a position that was contrary to the one that Harvard espoused," said the source.

Alma Harrington Young '69, an overseer from New Orleans, said that there were definite opinions among the group about Powell. "There was some discussion about the issues," she said. "A number of people felt strongly one way or the other, [although] I did not feel that strongly."

Provost Jerry R. Green said in an interview yesterday that the administration had talked over the selection during the past several months. "There were long discussions--once at the Corporation and twice at the Overseers. It was a very carefully considered decision," he said.

Green said that he had no problems with having Powell awarded an honorary degree. "I think it recognizes a lifetime of achievement. I don't think we have to agree with every position taken. I'm sure that if you go through past degree recipients you could find people have taken positions that we would object to," he said.

Green said that he had originally had another person in mind as Commencement speaker, although he refused to name the person.

At a public meeting of the University-wide Leadership Council of gay, lesbian and bisexual student groups Wednesday night. Professor of Philosophy Warren D. Goldfarb '69 said he had been told the administration had considered delaying the invitation to Powell for a year.

Goldfarb could not be reached for comment last night.

But students at the meeting said that it was the general opinion of council members that Rudenstine was not entirely happy with the selection of Powell. "Rudenstine is speaking at the gay and lesbian caucus' Commencement dinner a couple of hours after Powell's speech," said Katia E. Hetter, chair of the Kennedy School Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Caucus. "It seems strange that Rudenstine would sort of ask for this."

Several members said they had been offended that the news about Powell had been widely distributed during Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Days (BGLAD). "That's just so insensitive," said William Meikrantz, a student at the School of Public Health. "I know if Powell had a history of discriminating against other minority groups...he wouldn't have gotten an honorary degree, much less been invited to speak."

A University-wide rally has been planned for next Wednesday to protest the invitation. Members said they are also discussing what, if anything, to do during Powell's speech at Commencement. "Now a group centered at the Law School is discussing [actions] for Commencement--everything from shouting Powell down to all of us wearing pink triangles," said Meikrantz

Provost Jerry R. Green said in an interview yesterday that the administration had talked over the selection during the past several months. "There were long discussions--once at the Corporation and twice at the Overseers. It was a very carefully considered decision," he said.

Green said that he had no problems with having Powell awarded an honorary degree. "I think it recognizes a lifetime of achievement. I don't think we have to agree with every position taken. I'm sure that if you go through past degree recipients you could find people have taken positions that we would object to," he said.

Green said that he had originally had another person in mind as Commencement speaker, although he refused to name the person.

At a public meeting of the University-wide Leadership Council of gay, lesbian and bisexual student groups Wednesday night. Professor of Philosophy Warren D. Goldfarb '69 said he had been told the administration had considered delaying the invitation to Powell for a year.

Goldfarb could not be reached for comment last night.

But students at the meeting said that it was the general opinion of council members that Rudenstine was not entirely happy with the selection of Powell. "Rudenstine is speaking at the gay and lesbian caucus' Commencement dinner a couple of hours after Powell's speech," said Katia E. Hetter, chair of the Kennedy School Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Caucus. "It seems strange that Rudenstine would sort of ask for this."

Several members said they had been offended that the news about Powell had been widely distributed during Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Days (BGLAD). "That's just so insensitive," said William Meikrantz, a student at the School of Public Health. "I know if Powell had a history of discriminating against other minority groups...he wouldn't have gotten an honorary degree, much less been invited to speak."

A University-wide rally has been planned for next Wednesday to protest the invitation. Members said they are also discussing what, if anything, to do during Powell's speech at Commencement. "Now a group centered at the Law School is discussing [actions] for Commencement--everything from shouting Powell down to all of us wearing pink triangles," said Meikrantz