Landlords Accept Listing Provision

Landlords listing accommodations with the University Housing Registry at Phillips Brooks House have shown "encouraging response" to the provision that they must not discriminate against minority groups, Paul S. Sarbanes 2L, Graduate Secretary of PBH, revealed yesterday.

As a result of complaints last September that nine landlords on the Registry list were refusing to rent to Negroes, the Housing Registry instituted a policy in early December requiring that landlords agree "to rent to Harvard and Radcliffe people regardless of their race, creed, color or nationality."

Letter Sent to Landlords

"In keeping with the non-discriminatory position of the University, it has been established as a policy of this office that all housing submitted for listing must be available to all Harvard and Radcliffe students, faculty, alumni, or employees," a letter sent to anyone listing accommodations explained.

The Housing Registry has refused to list anyone who does not agree to the policy and will continue this practice in the future, Sarbanes said, noting that the Registry has received positive replies from a majority of landlords.

"We hope the letter will insure that anyone using the PBH housing list will not encounter discriminatory practices," Sarbanes asserted. He added that there have been no complaints since the required non-discriminatory policy went into effect.

Although the Registry plans to revise the form of the letter later this spring, its provisions will remain substantially the same, according to Sarbanes. "The present system seems to be the best solution we can get," he explained.