Leighton Doubts Funds Available For New Center

There is "a definite need for a Harvard-Radcliffe student center," Dean Leighton asserted yesterday, "but at this juncture it does not seem as important as the University's other financial considerations."

Leighton, chairman of the Faculty Committee on Student Activities, explained that with about $30 million still to be raised under the Program for Harvard College, "this does not appear to be the time to raise funds for another new building."

Another member of the Faculty committee, Robert H. Chapman, associate professor of English, commented last night that "on the face of it, the proposal for a new student center sounds like an excellent idea."

The Committee is scheduled to discuss the student center at a meeting tomorrow night.

Council Issued Report

The Student Council issued a report several years ago which called for a student center similar to the one now under consideration, Leighton said.

Marc E. Leland '59, President of the Student Council, noted that the Council has not discussed the center since the Program for Harvard College was launched. At the inception of the Program, however, "the Council asked that a student center be included as one of its aims," he said.

"There is a possibility that more student activities can be located in rooms in the eighth and ninth Houses," Leland commented. He added that the Houses, along with improved facilities for student activities at 52 Dunster St., "solve the problem without necessitating construction of a new building."