No Room at the Inn

Harvard has problems other colleges and universities can only dream of. Faculty members are too famous, to the point of neglecting undergraduates. Student are too motivated, at the expense of their own social lives and mental health. And there are too many student groups--so many there isn't enough space on campus to house them all.

The last problem is only growing more acute. There are hundreds of student groups, and their growth shows little sign of stopping. The vast majority of these groups don't own buildings, and instead depend on the whims of the College for office space. Currently, only one out of four student groups has office space from the College.

As it is now, Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III and Coordinator of Student Activities Susan T. Cooke are in charge of doling out the precious real estate, most of it located in the basements of Yard dorms. For student groups, the process of winning this space can be frustrating and at times seem unfair. Epps and Cooke decide on a case-by-case basis what groups from a pool of applicants will get space when it becomes available Too often, groups that need the room--publications, organizations with large memberships--go without space, while barely active clubs and magazines keep theirs. For example, the Harvard Philosophy Review, which occupies coveted office space in Holworthy Hall, hasn't published in two years.

Admittedly, Epps and Cooke are in a difficult situation. How can anyone decide fairly which groups are more worthy than others? The shortage of space is largely out of their control; their jobs would be made much easier, of course, if the University constructed a student center. Dean Epps has drawn up plans for a center, the Undergraduate Council has pledged $25,000 toward its construction, but it seems likely the University will ignore them. Both Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles and Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 are opposed to building a center.

Until their minds can be changed, the College must do what it can do to improve the office space situation. First, Epps and Cooke should formalize and better publicize the criteria for awarding offices so groups know how they are being evaluated. Every fall, all groups should submit a list of their previous year's membership, their records of activities or publication production and an explanation of how office space enhances the performance of their mission. After space is distributed based on these applications, there should be a waiting list for those who are unsuccessful in their bids.

The College should also make sure all of its space is being used efficiently. Where possible, space that is being used for storage should be converted to office space. Students groups that do have space should be reviewed occasionally to make sure they are still using it, and wasted space--like a certain corner of Canaday Basement--should be reassigned to needier groups.

These stopgap solutions, though, can only go so far. In the long run, only a student center will alleviate the space shortage for Harvard student groups. Unfortunately, the University doesn't appear to be interested.