Rosovsky Writes to Students Inviting Task Force Applicants

Dean Rosovsky invited between 80 and 90 students this week to apply for 14 openings on the task forces he set up in January to study Harvard's undergraduate education.

Rosovsky's letter of invitation was sent to many upperclassmen, but it says that it would "not be appropriate" for students who will graduate before September 1976 to apply, because the task forces may work through the fall of that year.

Rosovsky and other deans met for the first time Wednesday night with the chairman of the seven task forces, each of which will include six faculty members and two students.

Rosovsky's letter, dated March 3, was sent to undergraduate and graduate students who had written him regarding undergraduate education, to students recommended by House masters or administrators, and to members of the Committee on Houses and Undergraduate Life, the Committee on Undergraduate Education, and the Educational Resources Group.

The letter was sent with an application form, to be completed and returned to John B. Fox Jr. '59, assistant dean for academic administration, by March 12.

The application requires information on extracurricular activities, honors and awards, two faculty references, an explanation of "what you think you may contribute to the Task Force, including relevant accomplishments," and release of the student's transcripts.

Students are asked to express a preference among the seven task forces, which deal with such topics as curriculum, extra-curricular activities and improving teaching. The chairman or an administrator associated with a force will interview some applicants.

Rosovsky will select the faculty and student members in consultation with the individual chairmen.

Each task force may include one graduate student, Dean K. Whitla, associate director of admissions, said Thursday night.

Neither Rosovsky nor Fox was available yesterday to state whether applications would be accepted from upperclassmen.

CHUL members who are juniors received invitation letters yesterday, but Phyllis Keller, assistant dean for academic planning, said yesterday, "Presumably the continuity is highly desirable, which would give underclassmen priority."

Four members of CHUL who are juniors said yesterday that they would try to obtain a clarification from Rosovsky's office next week, because they are considering applying for the forces.