Allison's Response: More of the Same

LAST WEEK, Graham T. Allison Jr. '62, dean of the Kennedy School of Government, rejected a Kennedy school student resolution signed by more than half of the school's students calling for a renaming of the Engelhard Public Affairs Library. Allison's response--another in a long line of weak-kneed administration statements regarding student demands that Harvard end its de facto support of the South African government--is disappointing, though not surprising.

His reason for coming out against the name change is a classic example of money first, morals later (if ever). Allison believes that "changing the name could give offense and demonstrate insensitivity to many people who are dedicated to this University and its purposes and whose financial contributions make possible our inependent pursuit of learning."

Not changing the name demonstrates disregard for the large number of students at Harvard who have expressed strong opposition to the naming of a library for a man who made his fortune by taking advantage of apartheid conditions and helping to perpetuate them through his support--financial and moral--of the South African regime.

Attempting to offer some moral underpinnings for his opposition to the name-change, Allison states it "would do little to advance the cause of freedom in South Africa." While there is no direct correlation between the renaming of the library and the fall of the white minority government, having the name Engelhard attached to the Kennedy School gives legitimacy to Engelhard's actions in South Africa, and to the company bearing his name which continues to operate there. The current Engelhard family parent corporation, Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals, has refused to reveal the extent of the assets and activities of its privately held South African subsidiary.

Allison has, of course, expressed deep concerns about the Engelhard issue, though he will not do anything about them. In fact, he has decided to form a committee to look into the matter and report to him in three months. The committee's functions include proposing criteria for raising funds and naming "that will meet the school's continuing financial requirements, respect the interest of all parties and avoid all unnecessary controversy."

As we have learned from recent experience, committees related to the South African issue do not get anything done. We support the Kennedy School student association's vote not to participate in the committee, which is a smokescreen intended to cover the administration's unwillingness to effect any change that has any chance of offending potential donors.

Of course, Allison does not have the authority to change the name of the Engelhard library. That would require a change in the contract between Harvard Corporation and the Engelhard Foundation. But Allison's support of the desire of the majority of the student body would probably have a powerful effect on the Corporation, which is not even considering the issue. As it is, his pious support of South African freedom does not carry much weight.