Independent Work Abuse Increasing

The Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) yesterday discussed a report prepared by Dean Fox that shows a jump in the number of questionable independent work courses approved by Faculty members.

Fox reported that 42 per cent of the seniors graduating this year have taken an independent work at some time during their Harvard career. "Abuses of independent work have increased dramatically since last year," Glen W. Bowersock '57, associate dean of the Faculty for undergraduate education, told the committee.

CUE discussed a variety of proposals, including limiting approval rights for independent work to teaching faculty and setting up a review panel for controversial cases.

Dean Rosovsky told the Faculty Tuesday that the "proportion of inappropriate projects to the total (independent work) program has ballooned toward the 50 per cent mark."

Fox's statistics show that "study groups" comprise 23 per cent of the total independent work projects this term, up 3 per cent last year.

Pubs 102

Fox's list of study group topics included "Scuba Diving," "Philanthropy," "Investing," "Topics Related to South Boston," "Photo Essay on Mexico," "The Knee" ("I think an orthopedic surgeon teaches that one," Fox said), work at the stock brokerage E.F. Hutton, and "The Fundamentals of the Multiflex."

Varsity quarterback Larry Brown's course on the multiflex offense sparked much of the protest. Bowersock told CUE yesterday that Evan Vogt, master of Kirkland House, who approved the multiflex course, was guilty of a "willful misuse" of his power to approve independent work.

Vogt was unavailable for comment yesterday. He said last week that he would wait "a couple of weeks" before making any comment."

Fun Credit

In addition to the study groups, 17 per cent of independent work courses are listed as "extra curricular" in nature in Fox's report. Details of those courses were not included, but a similar report last year showed ballroom dancing and aviation courses to be popular.

The report also shows that two Faculty members approved 23 per cent of the courses, and that half the courses were approved by ten Faculty members. Bowersock said one Faculty member had approved 52 independent work courses. Courses.