Crimson Ignores Gabay's Legacy

I must object to your recent coverage of the Undergraduate Council because while your paper has focused its attention on internal politics and the results of the recent referendum, you have missed the most important story of the year--the legacy of UC President Carey W. Gabay '94.

I have had the great pleasure of working closely with Carey during both semesters of his presidency, first as a committee co-chair and then as his vice president this spring. I know I speak for all Council members when I write that Carey's tireless leadership and commitment to the student body was inspiring for all of us as we labored through the most productive yet least appreciated year that the Council has ever had.

His personal warmth and genuine belief that our efforts would be of great benefit to the student body- even if The Crimson decided to ignore our efforts--were the single most important factors in determining our success this year. In fact the greatest tribute I can give to Carey is to briefly list the major accomplishments of the Council under his guidance. Needless to say this is only a partial listing.

The wildly successful Yardfest could not have occurred without Carey's vision and enthusiasm for the project: the sold out David Spade and They Might Be Giants concerts gave the Council the confidence it sorely needed to produce large-scale events: calendar reform became a near-reality this past year: the issue of mandatory TF evaluations came to the forefront once the Council raised the idea: small comedy and music concerts were established as regular events for the students body: and no student will have to wait an insane amount of time in line to buy a sourcebook in the Science Center because of an agreement that the UC brokered.

More than any one event though, I know that Carey is most proud of his work to make the Council more accessible to students. He personally invited student groups to Sunday night meetings and brought the Council to the students on two separate occasions. Full Council meetings occurred in North and Mather so that students could take a peek at the activities of its elected representatives.

Carey also personally attended House Committee meetings at every house at least once and, in a few cases, many times this past year. Student surveys and placing Council agendas and other information on e-mail were other student-friendly initiatives of the Gabay administration.

Carey was also never afraid to tackle the importance issues, the true measure of a leader. Leading the charge on the term-bill initiative, Carey always presented the views of the Council with precision and clarity.

Even those who disagreed with him on this issue had to admit that Carey's leadership was the main reason that students who were at first undecided about the change were much more likely than not to support the Council's position. During the entire debate and the accompanying referenda, Carey always showed his poise and his determination to act on what was best for the student body.

Harvard may never realize the greatness since he is one of the most modest people I have met at this school. He would be the first to place the credit for the Council's great successes with anyone but himself.

Carey, the whole Council knows that your leadership and dedication were the main reasons for our tremendous year. You will be greatly missed around the office next year, and, on behalf of the entire Council and the entire student body, I would like to thank you for everything that you have done to make Harvard a better place to spend four years. Joshua D. Liston '95   Vice President,   Undergraduate Council