Elections and Appointments

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

You were mistaken in your editorial of November 15 when you said the Dean used to appoint men to the Student Council. What actually happened under the old Constitution was that a majority of elected members appointed seven or eight other members. The Dean had no more power over the Council then than he does now.

Many of us who were once in the Council were sorry to see it become an almost wholly elected group. We felt the Council was strengthened by being able to draft capable men to serve on it, most of whom would never have sought or achieved elective office. I think it fair and realistic to say that many of the talented men at Harvard haven't any great interest in student politics. To say they should have, and organize the Council as if they did, is to beg the issue; and that is what the present Constitution does.

I think a majority of elected men is necessary to keep the Council representative. But I think these elected men should be able to obtain the assistance of other men of outstanding and, where necessary, specialized ability. It is not enough that such men be used in a consultative capacity. They must be regular Council members, with voting power, whose opinions and influence can color the attitude of the Council and help mold its final decisions.

I hope the committee now at work studying the Student Council will consider the possibility of increasing the number of appointed members. Levin H. Campbell 3L