Faculty Approves New Concentration

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences yesterday voted unanimously to approve the Concentration in Environmental Science and Public Policy, Harvard's first new concentration in six years.

The birth of the new concentration at 5:35 p.m. ended the nearly 18-month-long process of discussion that began last year with the appointment of Rotch Professor of Atmospheric Science Michael B. McElroy as chair of a committee to study the possibilities for a concentration on the environment.

But McElroy, in comments to the faculty before yesterday's vote, said the evolution of the concentration is not yet complete, since it will be constantly adapting to new needs and course offerings.

"It's time for us to start," he said. "I would appeal to all who have an interest in environmental education to become involved."

The proposal would require 16 basic concentration courses--at least half from the Earth and Planetary Sciences, math or statistics, biology and chemistry departments.

In fulfilling the social sciences aspect of the concentration, students will also be required to take Historical Studies A-12, "International Conflicts in the Modern World," or an equivalent, in addition to a second course in public policy.

Baird Professor of Science E. O. Wilson, who served with McElroy on the concentration committee, said after the meeting that it was "possible" that the concentration committee would eventually create a graduate degree, but that the committee was taking the concentration "one step at a time."

A number of professors spoke at the meeting in support of the policy, someoffering suggestions for future incorporation.

Professor of Sociology Orlando Patterson saidthat demographics have been at the center ofenvironmental concerns, and expressed hope thatthe concentration would eventually include coursesin sociology.

"I'm bothered by the fact that these issues ofstratification and inequality are neglected," saidPatterson, who described himself as otherwise"basically" supporting the proposal.

Wilson said after the meeting he was "verypleased by the unanimous vote."

"I think this concentration is starting offwith unusual strength for a new concentration, dueto the fact that there are so many courses acrossmost of the schools at Harvard," Wilson said.

The world-renowned sociobiologist will beoffering a new graduate seminar, "BiodiversityStudies," limited to 10 students but open toundergraduates, which he said is the type ofcourse that could be created for the newconcentration.

The course, Wilson said, will combine issues ofbiology, economics and "even moral reasoning" instudying "the maintenance of global biodiversitycan be used for human welfare."

Students Applaud Decision

Joshua L. Tosteson '94, who developed withMcElroy a special concentration similar instructure to the new concentration, called theproposal's adoption "great news."

"We've been waiting a while for it," Tostesonsaid.

Tosteson said the junior tutorial was a "bigstep," and he hoped the new relationships amongdepartments involved in the concentration wouldfoster the development of a few more courseofferings focusing on environment-related issues.

Although he did not vote against the proposal,the lone dissenter, Thomson Professor ofGovernment Harvey C. Mansfield Jr., called theconcentration "just the sort of P.C. thing weshould be staying away from."

"This is the sort of thing which is making thisuniversity into a branch of the Democratic Party,"he said, to the accompaniment of laughter andgrimaces by his colleagues.

Continuing on a humorous note, Mansfield askedfaculty members to visualize themselves as parentsand question whether they would rather see theirchildren majoring in "the environment" or in"something more solid, like chemistry--or women'sstudies."

Mansfield has in the past been critical ofwomen's studies, which he called a "little ladies'sewing circle" in a letter to The Crimson earlierthis year

Professor of Sociology Orlando Patterson saidthat demographics have been at the center ofenvironmental concerns, and expressed hope thatthe concentration would eventually include coursesin sociology.

"I'm bothered by the fact that these issues ofstratification and inequality are neglected," saidPatterson, who described himself as otherwise"basically" supporting the proposal.

Wilson said after the meeting he was "verypleased by the unanimous vote."

"I think this concentration is starting offwith unusual strength for a new concentration, dueto the fact that there are so many courses acrossmost of the schools at Harvard," Wilson said.

The world-renowned sociobiologist will beoffering a new graduate seminar, "BiodiversityStudies," limited to 10 students but open toundergraduates, which he said is the type ofcourse that could be created for the newconcentration.

The course, Wilson said, will combine issues ofbiology, economics and "even moral reasoning" instudying "the maintenance of global biodiversitycan be used for human welfare."

Students Applaud Decision

Joshua L. Tosteson '94, who developed withMcElroy a special concentration similar instructure to the new concentration, called theproposal's adoption "great news."

"We've been waiting a while for it," Tostesonsaid.

Tosteson said the junior tutorial was a "bigstep," and he hoped the new relationships amongdepartments involved in the concentration wouldfoster the development of a few more courseofferings focusing on environment-related issues.

Although he did not vote against the proposal,the lone dissenter, Thomson Professor ofGovernment Harvey C. Mansfield Jr., called theconcentration "just the sort of P.C. thing weshould be staying away from."

"This is the sort of thing which is making thisuniversity into a branch of the Democratic Party,"he said, to the accompaniment of laughter andgrimaces by his colleagues.

Continuing on a humorous note, Mansfield askedfaculty members to visualize themselves as parentsand question whether they would rather see theirchildren majoring in "the environment" or in"something more solid, like chemistry--or women'sstudies."

Mansfield has in the past been critical ofwomen's studies, which he called a "little ladies'sewing circle" in a letter to The Crimson earlierthis year