NEWS IN BRIEF

Second Swastika Carved In Matthews Bathroom

For the second time in three weeks, vandals have carved a swastika in a Matthews North bathroom, a Yard proctor said yesterday.

The most recent carving, found on a stall door, was placed in the same location where the first such mark had been, according to Matthews proctor Charles Matt. After a student reported the swastika Monday morning, a maintenance crew painted over the mark immediately, Matt said.

"We haven't launched a search. It's very difficult in these circumstances," Matt said.

Although the administration may be unable to catch the vandals, the proctor said his dorm will hold a mandatory meeting tonight to discuss "tolerance and awareness in the community."

"The [meeting's] purpose is to alert everyone about the existence of these sorts of incidents and to raise awareness and sensitivity," Matt said. "The only thing we can do is discuss this as a dorm."

The incident earlier this month prompted W.C. Burris Young '55, associate dean for first-year students, to write a letter to all Matthews residents expressing his disapproval. Young could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Glenn J. Hanna '94, who lives in Matthews, said, "I guess stupid people do stupid things. You just have to forget about these things and move on."

Judge Clears Harvard In K-School Firing Case

A superior court justice ruled last week that Harvard had not improperly discharged a former Kennedy School employee.

Armando Garsd, a former research fellow at the K-School's Energy and Environment Policy Center (EEPC), had claimed he was fired in 1986 for raising questions about data used in a federally funded air pollution study at the School of Public Health (SPH).

Justice James F. McHugh ruled that Harvard did have grounds to fire Garsd, since Garsd had no written contract. Garsd had sued for lost wages.

Robert B. Donin, one of two attorneys representing the University in the case, said, "We are very pleased with Judge McHugh's decision, which agrees that Harvard had ample reason to remove Dr. Garsd from the Kennedy School project he was working on."

Garsd's counsel, Rona W. Goodman, said she and Garsd have not yet discussed the possiblity of an appeal. Garsd currently is in Argentina, she said.

In addition to his K-School post, Garsd worked at the SPH from 1984 to 1987. Professor John Spengler fired Garsd after he made photocopies of a confidential letter Spengler had written. Later, without Spengler's permission, Garsd discussed the contents of the letter with other EEPC project members.

Spengler was out of town yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

University Must Heal Two Broken Panes

Preserving Harvard landmarks is no cheap and easy task, especially during the past month.

Two weekends ago, during the Head of the Charles Regatta, a crack appeared in the corner of a large pane of glass at the Carpenter Center. And this past weekend, one of Memorial Hall's smaller stained glass windows was broken.

"We have no idea what happened. Probably the corner was struck by accident. Some people have suggested that the building is still settling, but this is highly unlikely since the Carpenter Center is over 30 years old," said Leoni Gordon, director of the center.

The building is the only North American creation of the famed French architect, Le Corbusier, and is widely considered to be a landmark of modern design.

The cracked pane is 133 inches long and is thicker than ordinary window glass, Gordon said, adding that a replacement will have to be custom-made.

But while the Carpenter Center appears to have suffered accidental damage, police have reported that Memorial Hall faced a deliberate attack. Sunday morning, a window in the Green Room was found smashed, a Harvard police spokesperson said.

The perpetrator probably entered the room, climbed on the air conditioner, and kicked out the window, he said. Nothing was stolen.

"It was a pretty bizarre incident." according to Mark Hayward, Memorial Hall superintendent. he estimated the cost of replacing the window would be approximately $3000.