THE STUDENT COUNCIL

The adoption of an amendment to the Student Council's Constitution once mere provokes a consideration of that body's usefulness. That its functions are not of vital importance is attested by the slight interest taken in the election of members, on an average of only 35 per cent of the undergraduate body casting ballots. The chief reason for this lack of interest is that there is small need in Harvard for the Student Council as it now exists.

The record to date of this year's council is a round zero. It has started with a clean slate, and kept it clean. The collection from Stadium crowds for the unemployed was a result of outside pressure on the part of University Hall conspiring with a Boston Transcript writer; initiative for a perfunctory resolution at the time of subway rioting also came from the Dean's office. Beyond this the existing organization has done nothing. The preceding council compiled a report on the tutorial system which has already produced results. If the present body has instigated any investigations, neither the subjects nor the personnel of the committees has been announced.

If succeeding councils are to be equally ineffective, it is a matter of small concern in what way they are elected. The recent decision to swell council membership by admitting two students not House residents is a wise one, as is the provision assuring each House a representative. The simplest methods of election in this event would be to have each House ballot for its won representative.