Group Finishes Review of College Administration

A soon-to-be-issued report reviewing the entire administrative structure of Harvard College recommends randomization in house assignments and offers scenarios for changing the job of the Dean of the College.

The report, which was detailed in a University statement released last week, presents three possible models for re-organizing the administrative offices of the College. Two of the models would significantly change the dean's role.

The report was produced by a committee of faculty and administrators appointed last summer by Jeremy R. Knowles, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The recommendations in the report, now being printed, will be presented to Knowles for his consideration.

Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57, who was not a member of the committee, said yesterday it was not appropriate for him to comment on the report.

But committee member Theda Skocpol, professor of sociology, said yesterday that the current position of the Dean of the College is overwhelming.

"[Dean] Jewett is working 24 hours a day," Skocpol said. "He himself suggested breaking up the job."

One model calls for combining the positions of the Dean of Undergraduate Education and the Dean of the College. Another suggests supplementing the two offices with a handful of deans.

Dean of Undergraduate Education Lawrence Buell said each of these possible models has advantages and disadvantages.

"Any of the three models could be quite workable and promising under certain conditions," he said.

"I think there is an advantage building from the structure we already have," Buell said, "but it wouldn't be fair to say it is my absolute preference."

He expressed concern that the model calling for an increase in deans could decrease the College's efficiency.

In compiling the report, the committee solicited input from students, employees of every College office and administrators from other schools, according to Skocpol.

"The people themselves raised many of the issues that we then talked about," she said.

Housing

The report also endorses a long-held Jewett opinion: that first-years should be assigned to houses randomly.

"House choice should not be a major factor in students' College experience, but the availability of choice creates an exaggerated impression of its significance," the report states, according to the University statement.

It also suggests that senior tutors be renamed "assistant deans," and that the College recruit scholars who are further along in their studies than the graduate students who are currently being hired.

"I brought up the 'assistant deans' with them, and I am definitely in favor of it," said Garth O. McCavana, the Kirkland House senior tutor.

To improve house life, the committee suggests that more extensive training programs be instituted for the approximately 250 resident tutors.

The report pushes greater accountability for College officers. Deans, house masters and Allston Burr senior tutors should undergo periodic reviews, the 78-page document says.

"It cannot be in the best interests of either the University or the individual for someone who has assumed administrative responsibilities to go too long without thoughtful reflection and discussion of the dimensions of the job and a review of his or her performance," the report says.

Committee members suggests that more teaching faculty be involved in non-academic parts of the College. For example, faculty should play a greater role on the Administrative Board, in the College's musical and artistic programs, the Bureau of Study Counsel and the Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, according to the report.

The report encourages the establishment of a faculty-student Standing Committee on Public Service. The committee would control all volunteer and public service programs supported by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Another proposal was the formation a faculty-student committee to review the organization of the Undergraduate Council

The report pushes greater accountability for College officers. Deans, house masters and Allston Burr senior tutors should undergo periodic reviews, the 78-page document says.

"It cannot be in the best interests of either the University or the individual for someone who has assumed administrative responsibilities to go too long without thoughtful reflection and discussion of the dimensions of the job and a review of his or her performance," the report says.

Committee members suggests that more teaching faculty be involved in non-academic parts of the College. For example, faculty should play a greater role on the Administrative Board, in the College's musical and artistic programs, the Bureau of Study Counsel and the Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, according to the report.

The report encourages the establishment of a faculty-student Standing Committee on Public Service. The committee would control all volunteer and public service programs supported by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Another proposal was the formation a faculty-student committee to review the organization of the Undergraduate Council