Overseers Elections Look Like Star Search

Harvard alumni reading the ballot for this spring's Board of Overseers election might think they are looking at a copy of Newsweek.

This year's nominees for five open seats on the 30-member governing body include Secretary of Labor Elizabeth H. Dole, former Democratic National Committee Chair Paul G. Kirk '60, actor John A. Lithgow '67 and Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu.

The Board, which technically must approve all decisions made by the seven-member Corporation, has always had its share of prominent members. John F. Kennedy '40 served on the Board while he was president, and current overseers include Senator Albert J. Gore '69 (D-Tenn.) and Pulitzer Prize-winner Frances FitzGerald '62.

But many observers say the pressure to nominate celebrities has escalated in recent years, as the Harvard Alumni Association's official slate has been challenged by independently nominated pro-divestment candidates.

Some supporters of Harvard-Radcliffe Alumni Against Apartheid (HRAAA), which announced its nomination of Tutulast week, say the Alumni Association has put morefamous names on its ticket to ensure that HRAAAcandidates don't win seats.

"People are simply being put forward in aPeople magazine, namerecognition approach,"said Overseer Peter H. Wood '64, who was electedto the Board on the HRAAA slate. "The AlumniAssociation seems to be taking mainstream namesright out of recent headlines, rather than peoplewho have an immediate link to serious issuesfacing higher education."

Gore's nomination last year came after HRAAAwon three seats in two years. One overseer whoasked not to be identified said the prominentDemocrat may have been nominated as an alternativefor alumni who otherwise would have supportedHRAAA's liberal candidates.

But many overseers say the Alumni Associationhas other reasons for nominating celebrities.

"I think people who are recognized by thecommunity are generally people of breadth andexperience and judgment, who make the bestcandidates and overseers," said Kirk, who wasnominated by the Alumni Assocation. "The fact thatsome are better known may heighten the interest ofthose who vote."

Historically, a small percentage of alumniparticipate in Overseers' elections, and Boardmembers say the Alumni Association may have takento nominating celebrities to draw more attentionto its candidates.

"Nobody on the official slate wants to organize[a campaign] for themselves, so the University hasbeen forced to come up with well-knowncandidates," FitzGerald said.

And HRAAA Overseer Gay W. Seidman '78 saidcelebrities "have every right to assume that theirname is being used and that they're not expectedto be as involved."

One problem facing prominent figures,especially those in politics, is finding the timeto be an overseer. Overseers staff theUniversity's visiting committees, attend fivemeetings in Cambridge each year and are expectedto devote time to examining University issues.

"It's as burdensome a commitment as most boardsand more than some," FitzGerald said.

Last year, Gore's unsuccessful presidentialcampaign prevented him from attending meetingsduring his first year as an overseer. Now, someoverseers say Tutu might not be able to attend theCambridge meetings or put in the needed hours.

But many say that all overseers, not justcelebrities, are in a time bind. Many Boardmembers hold high corporate positions, forexample.

"Celebrities or not celebrities, most people onthe Board live extremely busy lives," FitzGeraldsaid.

Kirk said Alumni Association representativesasked him if he would have the time to serve onthe Board before nominating him. And Seidman notedthat since Gore's presidential campaign ended, thesenator has been "an extraordinarily involved,active member."

However, some overseers say that the largenumber of celebrities on the Board indicates thatHarvard seeks those with money or a name, insteadof "ordinary" alumni.

More than half the Board's members arecorporate executives or lawyers in privatepractice.

With an Alumni Association slate full ofnewsmakers and corporate heads, FitzGerald said,"we don't wind up with a completely representativeBoard." She said the Board needs people from otherprofessions, such as teachers and doctors.

"This is not a university that can or should berun by the rich and famous," Wood said. "It shouldbe run by a varied blend of loyal people with astrong commitment to Harvard.