Concert Commission Gains Official Status

Harvard’s Concert Commission (HCC) is here to stay.

Last night, at an otherwise mundane meeting, the Undergraduate Council voted unanimously to amend its by-laws to include information about HCC’s mission, its structure and its general operations.

The amendment creates an organization that is open to students from any of Harvard’s schools, but is ultimately accountable to the council.

Council President Paul A. Gusmorino `02 said this sort of privatization—allowing non-council members to work for groups that are under the council’s oversight—may become more common in the future.

“We’ll see how this works out,” Gusmorino said. “But we might end up doing this with things like UC Books, too.”

The council also tentatively voted to amend its constitution by adding a clause about HCC. That vote, however, will not become official until later this week, as council members are allowed time to change their votes on constitutional amendment changes.

Council Vice-President Sujean S. Lee `03, one of the HCC’s founders, said she is relieved that the commission is now part of the council.

“It’s really exciting,” Lee said. “We really hope this will improve social life on campus. It’s one of the most rewarding things we’ve done.”

Lee said that HCC hopes to host a spring concert, but that plans are as of yet undetermined. In February, the commission sold out Sanders Theatre for a concert featuring The Roots and the Black Eyed Peas.

The council’s only other bill last night allocated close to $4,000 to purchase attractions for the upcoming Springfest, to be held at the end of the month.

Students will be treated to a “Moonbounce” and a “gladiator joust” among other rides.

The council also voted to try to make fried dough available to students at the event.

—Staff writer Alex B. Ginsberg can be reached at ginsberg@fas.harvard.edu.