Environment Concentration Approved by Vote of Faculty

Harvard is quickly becoming a greener University.

After naming Wells Professor of Political Economy Jerry R. Green University provost last spring. Harvard took a step toward greater environmental consciousness when the Faculty voted unanimously to approve the environmental science and public policy concentration.

The vote, for the first new concentration since women's studies in 1986, marked the culmination of a nearly 18-month period of discussion.

The basic 16-course concentration requires students to take courses in earth and planetary sciences, biology, math or statistics, chemistry and economics, as well as Historical Studies A-12, "International Conflicts in the Modern World," or an equivalent and a second course in public policy.

A $2 million grant from the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation, a U.S. charitable organization, will make possible the development of faculty, curriculum, external communication and a venture fund for the new concentration.

Ulrich Petersen, Dodley professor of economic geology, was officially named head tutor in late May Petersen has been working since January to turn the proposal into a functional concentration.

The committee of tutors was originally aiming for about 20 students in the first year, Petersen said. But approximately 25 students both first-years choosing concentrations and upperclass students switching concentrations, will be concentrating in environmental studies and public policy this fall.

"The basic problem will be obtaining enough faculty and funds to enlarge the concentration if necessary," Petersen said. "It's not that easy...We don't have a track record yet."

The new concentration has not been without its critics. Some question the need for it, citing the earth and planetary sciences concentration as an already-existing option for environmental studies.

But despite early setbacks, Green says the concentration is "going quite well."

"We have a terrific board of tutors. In fact, it was extremely easy to recruit people," he says. "I'm very encouraged."

The first environmental tutorial was offered this past year. Brenna D. Segal '95, who took the year-long course, praises its structure.

"The ESPP junior tutorial has...enroll[ed] undergraduates and graduates in a two-to-one ratio," Segal wrote in the Environmental Action Committee's annual environmental audit of Harvard. "As a member of the tutorial, I can personally vouch for the fact that this unique approach is exciting and rewarding."

The tutorial studies four cases, directed by both a policy specialist and a scientist. This year, the class analyzed wetlands, toxicology and risk analysis, ozone depletion and deforestation.

Segal congratulated Harvard for establishing the environmental concentration, but cautioned that it needs some work.

"Harvard has a long way to go before boasting about its environmental policy options," she says, pointing to a lack of ethics and government courses dealing with the environment.