Ad Board Disciplines Students for Break-In

Two first-year students who broke into the Hemenway Gym and hosted a dance party in a squash court for more than 30 of their peers will be placed on disciplinary probation by the College for the remainder of the academic year, the students said yesterday.

But the students--Pennypacker Hall resident George L. Duffield '95 and Grays Hall resident Sean D. O'Keefe '95--said that in making the decision, the College's Administrative Board acknowledged a lack of adequate party space for undergraduates. The Ad Board also offered its assistance in accommodating future dance parties in University buildings, according to Duffield and O'Keefe.

"The very interesting thing is that they've accepted that there's a problem and have said something along the lines of they'll help us find a space [for future parties]," Duffield said. "Through their actions it seems they acknowledge the faults of the Harvard social scene."

Duffield added that the Ad Board said it may provide security for future parties.

Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57--who chairs the Administrative Board--declined to comment on the case specifically, but said that while the board itself does not have the resources to assist in funding parties, it might recommend such a move by the College.

Jewett said that as dean, he would consider allowing the use of College facilities for undergraduate dance parties.

"I'd do anything I can within the confines of the resources I have, if people really want to have the opportunity for dances which aren't alcohol-based," Jewett said. "I will and have in past years expressed a willingness to support those kinds of activities."

Both Duffield and O'Keefe said that they were surprised by the leniency of the Ad Board's decision.

"It's great. I thought we were going to be suspended," Duffield said. "What I didn't expect from them is that they would help us."

O'Keefe said the Freshman Dean's Office washelpful in securing a relatively light punishment.

"I think the Freshman Dean's Office was verysupportive," O'Keefe said, adding that he realizesthe seriousness of his actions.

"I'm sorry for what I've done and the troublesI've caused the police and school administration,"he said. "It was a stupid thing to do."

Other students who attended the party--all ofwhom will receive letters of admonishment from theAd Board--said they were pleased with the leniencyof the punishment.

According to O'Keefe, the Ad Board took intoaccount the lack of malicious intent on the partof the students. "I very much appreciate the AdBoard's recognition of our intentions, which aregood," he said.

Jewett said the Ad Board usually considersmotives and intent in the cases that come beforeit. "I think the Ad Board often times dealsleniently in situations where people's intentionswere good even though their methods may not be theappropriate ones," he said.

O'Keefe and Duffield said they are trying toobtain permission to host another dance party thisSaturday at the Adams House swimming pool.

"It's a possibility," O'Keefe said. "If ithappens, it will be incredible."

O'Keefe said the party would featureprofessional disc jockeys and dancers from danceclubs in New York and Boston, a live band, a lightshow and a 1200-watt sound system.

He said that the he and Duffield, who bothattended preparatory school in England, are alsoattempting to arrange another "European style"dance party later this year at a Logan airporthanger.

"I think that you'll find that within the nextyear, the European dance scene will start todominate American youth culture and you'll have aclub culture that will just span the U.S.,"O'Keefe said. "I think it'll be a much happierplace for it.

O'Keefe said the Freshman Dean's Office washelpful in securing a relatively light punishment.

"I think the Freshman Dean's Office was verysupportive," O'Keefe said, adding that he realizesthe seriousness of his actions.

"I'm sorry for what I've done and the troublesI've caused the police and school administration,"he said. "It was a stupid thing to do."

Other students who attended the party--all ofwhom will receive letters of admonishment from theAd Board--said they were pleased with the leniencyof the punishment.

According to O'Keefe, the Ad Board took intoaccount the lack of malicious intent on the partof the students. "I very much appreciate the AdBoard's recognition of our intentions, which aregood," he said.

Jewett said the Ad Board usually considersmotives and intent in the cases that come beforeit. "I think the Ad Board often times dealsleniently in situations where people's intentionswere good even though their methods may not be theappropriate ones," he said.

O'Keefe and Duffield said they are trying toobtain permission to host another dance party thisSaturday at the Adams House swimming pool.

"It's a possibility," O'Keefe said. "If ithappens, it will be incredible."

O'Keefe said the party would featureprofessional disc jockeys and dancers from danceclubs in New York and Boston, a live band, a lightshow and a 1200-watt sound system.

He said that the he and Duffield, who bothattended preparatory school in England, are alsoattempting to arrange another "European style"dance party later this year at a Logan airporthanger.

"I think that you'll find that within the nextyear, the European dance scene will start todominate American youth culture and you'll have aclub culture that will just span the U.S.,"O'Keefe said. "I think it'll be a much happierplace for it.