City Councilors Hosted At Town-Gown Dinner

Although the more than 25 guests at last night's dinner for Cambridge city leaders and Harvard administrators dined on filet mignon and asparagus salad, the main course was a discussion of the university's and students' commitments to community service.

City council members praised the students' public service efforts but roasted what they called the university's lack of community responsibility.

In presentations closed to the press, Phillips Brooks House (PBH) director William H. Gump '86, former PBH director Valerie A. Barton '86 and Citystep director Sabrina Peck '85 spoke on the achievements of their respective groups.

Also giving presentations were Wayne Meisel '82, who helps other college campuses develop public service programs, and Steven G. Kalar, co-director of the PBH-sponsored University Lutheran Shelter.

Later in the evening, Kalar traded harsh words with City Councilor Alfred E. Vellucci. The former Cambridge mayor asked whether Kalar's proposal that shelters for the homeless be constructed in every part of the city extended to putting one "in the middle of Brattle Street."

Kalar said, "If we're going to press Harvard for a commitment [to increase care for the homeless], we can also ask Cambridge for a commitment."

City Councilor Saundra Graham said, "We [the city] are not going to bear the burden of all the homelessness in this city." She said that Harvard needs to work with Cambridge in this area and in developing strategies to deal with the Gramm-Rudman budget cuts that threaten both university and city revenues.

"We don't resolve issues here; we only talk about them," Gramm said. She characterized the evening as one of informative conversation and "another good dinner." However, she added, "It's always frustrating when you talk to Harvard."

President Derek C. Bok agreed with Graham that both city and university "are feeling the impact of problems that originate at a much higher level." He said Graham "made the point that we should be thinking more about how to make common cause."

"The concerns do not involve things that Harvard is doing to hurt the city," Bok said, adding that the city leaders had focused on Harvard's participation in cooperative action. He said, "I didn't hear any complaints."

True to form, Vellucci proposed placing Army-style barracks or mobile homes in Harvard Yard as a way of dealing with the homeless problem. At other times, Vellucci has suggested that the Lampoon castle be converted into a homeless shelter and Harvard Yard be paved over as a parking lot.