Undergraduate Council Renews Call for Cable

The Undergraduate Council last night urged the College to make satellite and cable television available to all students.

A position paper, which called for the College to “engage in an active review of current residential television policy with the objective of improving and increasing the television options available to undergraduates” was passed unanimously.

Council President Paul A. Gusmorino ’02 said approved position papers represent the official view of the council.

Council members said College administrators are willing to reassess television policy but that actual progress on the issue could take many years.

Currently, only residents of DeWolfe have access to cable television, and satellite dishes are only permitted in dorm room windows.

“[The administration’s] main concern with satellites was not any philosophical problem with students watching television but with safety,” Gusmorino said.

Wiring Houses and freshman dorms for cable television is a significant undertaking, council members acknowledge, and they do not expect rapid action.

Council member Stephen N. Smith ’02 estimated that it could take the College two years to consider the issue and then another eight to actually implement the changes if they decide expanded television service is warranted.

“They’re not going to rip up the buildings now in the middle of the term so we can get the Discovery Channel,” said council member and chair of the Student Affairs Committee Rohit Chopra ’04.

Chopra said any changes in television policy would most likely occur during the next round of House renovations, which will not be for many years, he said.

In addition to the television paper, the council unanimously passed another position paper that calls for increased funding for the Houses.

This new position paper is the latest in a council campaign to strengthen relations with House committees, which have been rocky in the past.

“Everyone wants to see House committees get more money,” said council member Luke R. Long ’03.

The position paper proposes that the Office of the Arts and the Department of Athletics fund intramurals, fitness centers, and arts- and athletic-related activities.

“I think the purpose of [the position paper] is just to say we care about Houses and we recognize that they are influential in improving students’ lives,” said council member Shira S. Simon ’03.

Before undertaking any business at last night’s meeting, the council heard a brief presentation by Karen E. Avery, assistant dean and director of the Ann Radcliffe Trust.

Avery spoke about the Radcliffe Trust’s promotion of women’s interests, as exemplified by the giving of the Harvard College Women’s Leadership Award. She also outlined her views on campus safety for women.

She said educational programs about rape are the best defense against attacks.

“It is important for the council and the campus to know the issue regarding sexual assault at Harvard because the issue seems to be surfacing also,” Chopra said.

—Staff writer William M. Rasmussen can be reached at wrasmuss@fas.harvard.edu.