Student Council Approves Educational Study Group

The Student Council last night unanimously approved a plan to establish a 30-man permanent committee on educational policy. Based on the assumption that the student body is "the largest unused poll of creativity and intelligence in the Harvard Community" the new plan envisions a representative body of students that would work closely with the Administration and discuss "basic problems of educational philosophy" in the College.

It is understood that the Deans' office looks with favor on the plan, originated by the executive board this summer.

In its action last night, the Council merely endorsed the general idea of such a committee. Further details were left to be worked out by an exploratory group led by President Edward L. Croman '60.

From the discussion at the meeting, it can be assumed that questions regarding broad phases of educational policy will be dealt with by the committee as these questions are brought up by the Deans. The Committee would also initiate proposals and investigated them along with the CEP.

Council members had no clear idea as to the exact function of the new group. One said it would be "a less humorous but more substantial version of the Confidential Guide."

Edward A. Segal '60, a member of the exploratory group, described the Student Council Committee on Educational Policy--as it will be named--as "a continuous watchdog on programs which the Administration is putting into effect."

He went on to observe that a standing committee can discuss general educational problems with the CEP, whereas the present ad hoc committees are limited to a study of one specific issue.

In other action last night, the Council heard Lewis B. Oliver '61, chairman of the Committee on the National Students Association, give a general outline of the report that will recommend the College's return to NSA. Oliver would not elaborate on the committee's reasons for this recommendation, but he indicated that the full report would be ready by next week.