What's the Matter With Harvard? "They Don't Trust Us," Seniors Say

A loosely-organized group of seniors lambasted the Harvard "bureaucracy" and the education it provides in a meeting last night designed to tell freshmen "what's wrong with Harvard."

Only about 25 or 30 freshmen showed up, however, and all but four of these had left Emerson Hall before the gathering was 90 minutes old.

Henry R. Norr, '68 president of the Harvard Policy Committee, summed up the speaker's theme when he explained why the University 'doesn't like" the Independent Study Program: "The University doesn't trust you," he said.

Other speakers attacked the existence of ROTC on the Harvard campus, "mis-management" of the House system, courses "geared to produce experts," and Harvard "elitism."

A critic of Ec 1, Jonathan M. Haris '68, warned freshmen in the course that they are "the raw material for the perpetuation of the Ecksteins and Gills. You get tools you're going to need if you're going to be a Presidential advisor next time around."

Freshmen Snowed

One freshman who stayed until the end, Tim Rush, said after the audience had dwindled considerably, 'It says something about our class that they all went to Pusey's tea but didn't come here. They're snowed under and are willing to let others guide their education."

Michael Robinson, also '71, said he came because he was "curious," and he admitted that "there is a party atmosphere in Weld Hall right now. No one is worried about these things yet."

The creators of the meeting, which was not sponsored by any organization, reacted differently to the size of the turnout. "I'm not too discouraged," said David Finkelhor '68. "I feel satisfied that we discussed this, even with a small group." Jesse Kornbluth '68, however, said he was "pleased" with the attendance. "It's never been done before, so it can' fail."