New Dean

To the Editors of The Crimson:

As former editorial chairmen of The Crimson, we spared little in our criticism of Archie Epps III, then as now the dean of students. With each decision the dean of students confronts an inevitably (and properly) skeptical student press. We did our job and he did his.

And he did it well. While we often disagreed with Dean Epps on the multitude at issues which provided the grist for our editorial indignation, we learned to respect a man who invariably treated students at least as seriously as they deserved. We saw Dean Epps confront a lot of immature ranting, and he always replied with dignity and class.

We now learn that Dean Epps will not be the next Dean of the College--after 15 years of service in a job that is arguably the single best preparation for the job of College dean. The job will go to another in the line of white males who have held it for time immemorial. This appointment provides observers of the Harvard scene an object lesson in the resilience of the old boys' network. It is not a surprise. It is a shame. Jeffrey R. Toobin '82   Paul A. Engelmayer '83