Environment Major Slowed

Chair of the University Committee on Environment Michael B. McElroy said last night he hopes to have a program for the planned environmental studies concentration in place by next semester, but that progress has been slow due to administrative foot-dragging.

McElroy, also Rotch professor of atmospheric sciences, and committee vice chair William C. Clark met last night with a group of more than 20 graduate and undergraduate student environmental leaders to discuss their progress in developing a plan of study.

"The progress in the concentration is heartening," said Clark, who is also Harman professor of international science, policy and human development.

The general mood of the meeting was upbeat, but McElroy said the administration has been dragging its feet. He said in an interview following the meeting that "diverse opinions" among some administrators may delay any agreement on the definition of the concentration.

"It will be a real shame if something isn't in place by next semester," McElroy said in the interview.

McElroy's committee first submitted its proposal for an environmental studies concentration last April to the newly formed Committee of Educational Policy, chaired by Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education Lawrence A. Buell. The concentration is slated for consideration by Buell's committee this fall.

McElroy reported that he met last month willBuell, whom he called "a friend of the program."McElroy also said Provost Jerry R. Green hasworked with the University committee in developingits curriculum proposal.

At last night's meeting, McElroy and Clarkdistributed a tentative seven-page proposal whichlisted courses that might be offered with theconcentration. Copies of the proposed requirementsincluded the message: "Warning. Will probablychange."

"We have a long way to go in terms offine-tuning courses," Clark said. "We may inventthings as we go along."

Students and faculty hammered out the currentplan of study after students rejected a draftproposal by McElroy's committee last spring.

Bonnie Becker '94, co-director of theEnvironmental Action Committee, said the initialproposal had" a lot of breadth and no depth."Students subsequently worked with McElroy'scommittee to re-shape the proposal, and Beckersaid last night that "most of our concerns havebeen answered."

But as the Committee on Educational Policycontinues its deliberation, some students say timeis being lost.

"I know a lot of sophomores and first-yearsthat are excited about Environmental Studies,"said Becker. "But if it doesn't start up soon,we're all going to be too far along to switch.

McElroy reported that he met last month willBuell, whom he called "a friend of the program."McElroy also said Provost Jerry R. Green hasworked with the University committee in developingits curriculum proposal.

At last night's meeting, McElroy and Clarkdistributed a tentative seven-page proposal whichlisted courses that might be offered with theconcentration. Copies of the proposed requirementsincluded the message: "Warning. Will probablychange."

"We have a long way to go in terms offine-tuning courses," Clark said. "We may inventthings as we go along."

Students and faculty hammered out the currentplan of study after students rejected a draftproposal by McElroy's committee last spring.

Bonnie Becker '94, co-director of theEnvironmental Action Committee, said the initialproposal had" a lot of breadth and no depth."Students subsequently worked with McElroy'scommittee to re-shape the proposal, and Beckersaid last night that "most of our concerns havebeen answered."

But as the Committee on Educational Policycontinues its deliberation, some students say timeis being lost.

"I know a lot of sophomores and first-yearsthat are excited about Environmental Studies,"said Becker. "But if it doesn't start up soon,we're all going to be too far along to switch.