Women's Group Must Take Action

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 announced on May 2 his intention to create a committee focusing on women's issues. The committee will consist of 15 individuals who will meet and be addressed by different faculty members or administrators involved or concerned with women's issues on campus. We support the formation of this committee and hope that it will make an impact at the College, focusing more attention toward what women on campus are experiencing. However, we are worried that this committee is just another attempt to appease students at Harvard and that the students on the board will have no acting power.

Safety on campus, the lack of female leadership in the most prominent extracurriculars, the role of the Radcliffe Union of Students, classroom dynamics and the absence of many female role models among tenured professors and administrators with whom students have the most contact are all issues that must be addressed. The role of Radcliffe College should also be evaluated. Does it enhance the College by providing a place for women to gather, or does it actually prevent the Harvard College administration from feeling the necessity to have female leadership in the College?

The committee could continue to encourage programs such as "Take Back the Night" which increase a sense of safety. It could also initiate or encourage studies of gender equality on campus. More pressure could be put on the administration to hire female professors and administrators so that female undergraduates have role models.

We are excited by the potential the committee has to make a difference on the campus but are concerned that it may not take as much action as is necessary. It is important that this committee does not just talk and suggest but take action and begin to initiate change on campus as it sees fit. There are many changes to be made, and the campus does not need another committee to just sit and discuss. This committee could make a crucial impact as an important first step in examining the position of women on this campus. We hope it will take the power it has and use it to implement changes.