Decision On Core Unlikely This Year

Several members of the Faculty endorsed yesterday the addition of a quantitative reasoning requirement to the Core at a dicussion on Core reform yesterday.

But James T. Engell '73, professor of English and comparative literature, told the Faculty it would be unwise to introduce any legislation regarding the Core at next month's meeting because there was too much disagreement about other issues raised in the working paper of the Core Review Committee.

According to William Paul, Mallinckrodt professor of applied physics and professor of physics, there probably will not be a vote on the Core this term.

If the decision is not made by the end of this school year, then incoming first-years will not be affected by the proposed changes.

"I am 100 percent certain that there will be no vote taken at the next faculty meeting," said Paul, who is also on the Faculty Council. "There was a good deal more criticism of the Core than might have been expected."

Paul said he would be surprised and disappointed if legislation on the Core were brought to the next meeting.

"This is the one chance we have to change it," he said. "We mustn't muff it. This discussion I expect will go on into the fall."

Sidney Verba '53, Pforzheimer University professor and chair of the Core Review Committee, also said it is unlikely that legislation will be brought to the next meeting.

The debate--which lasted more than two hours yesterday--centered on two questions: whether the number of required Core fields should be reduced from eight to seven, and whether students ought to be allowed to bypass some Core requirements with departmental courses.

Verba said the committee supported the addition of a quantitative reasoning requirement and a reduction in the number of required fields.

He added that the members of the committee are against departmental bypasses because they believe that Core classes focus more on certain methodologies than do departmental classes, which are geared toward concentrators.

"In a departmental course, one does biology or economics or literary analysis," the working paper reads. "In a Core course...one considers more self-consciously how one is doing it and why."

Some Faculty members disagreed.

William H. Bossert '59, Arnold professor of science, said he does not think there is a difference between Core and departmental classes.

"The special areas have no magic for me," he said. "The special nature of the courses escapes me."

Bossert proposed an alternative to the Core, in which students would major in one field and minor in two others. The minor would consist of taking three or four courses from the regular departmental offerings in those fields.

After the meeting, Bossert said the Faculty may be opposed to the idea because it "mistrusts" students' ability to choose challenging courses in several departments.

Some Faculty also expressed concern that the introductory nature of Core courses hinders students from becoming more advanced in fields outside their concentration.

"For students who want to pursue a field in some depth--or students who have some background--we should not let the Core stand in the way of their education," said Gary J. Feldman, Baird professor of science.

Presenting a report written by three members of the Undergraduate Council to the Faculty, Sarah K. Hurwitz '99 echoed the sentiment that the Core limits students who have enthusiasm or prior experience in areas outside their concentration.

The report by Hurwitz, James T.L. Grimmelmann '99 and Benjamin A. Rahn '99, also states that the Core penalizes students who switch concentrations by forcing them to repeat course work.

In addition, the report argues that, while reducing the number of required Core classes from eight to seven gives students one more elective, it does not increase the flexibility of the Core.

The students proposed that some departmental courses be allowed to count for Core credit, in addition to the existing Core classes.

"Only in the one or two areas in which they are most prepared and motivated will students take the departmental route," the report states.

Rahn said some Faculty showed their support for the students' report after the meeting.

"We were very pleased that many Faculty members' thoughts coincided with ours," he said.

Some Faculty members also expressed dismay that Core classes are large and students rarely interact with their professors.

Lawrence Buell, Marquand professor of English, proposed that the Core be restructured to offer small, interactive course options, similar to freshman seminars. His suggestion was supported by the Faculty.

Junior Faculty Report

The Faculty applauded in response to the announcement by Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles about the acceptance of three proposals made in the junior faculty report.

Under the new policies, assistant professors on one pay scale will receive a paid leave after being promoted to associate professor. The salaries of faculty on the other scale will be raised commensurately.

In addition, the rental subsidy for those in Harvard Real Estate housing will be replaced with an across-the-board housing allowance of $3,000 for all junior faculty.

Finally, the travel allowance for junior and senior faculty will be raised from $800 to $1,000, allowing roll-over from year-to-year

Verba said the committee supported the addition of a quantitative reasoning requirement and a reduction in the number of required fields.

He added that the members of the committee are against departmental bypasses because they believe that Core classes focus more on certain methodologies than do departmental classes, which are geared toward concentrators.

"In a departmental course, one does biology or economics or literary analysis," the working paper reads. "In a Core course...one considers more self-consciously how one is doing it and why."

Some Faculty members disagreed.

William H. Bossert '59, Arnold professor of science, said he does not think there is a difference between Core and departmental classes.

"The special areas have no magic for me," he said. "The special nature of the courses escapes me."

Bossert proposed an alternative to the Core, in which students would major in one field and minor in two others. The minor would consist of taking three or four courses from the regular departmental offerings in those fields.

After the meeting, Bossert said the Faculty may be opposed to the idea because it "mistrusts" students' ability to choose challenging courses in several departments.

Some Faculty also expressed concern that the introductory nature of Core courses hinders students from becoming more advanced in fields outside their concentration.

"For students who want to pursue a field in some depth--or students who have some background--we should not let the Core stand in the way of their education," said Gary J. Feldman, Baird professor of science.

Presenting a report written by three members of the Undergraduate Council to the Faculty, Sarah K. Hurwitz '99 echoed the sentiment that the Core limits students who have enthusiasm or prior experience in areas outside their concentration.

The report by Hurwitz, James T.L. Grimmelmann '99 and Benjamin A. Rahn '99, also states that the Core penalizes students who switch concentrations by forcing them to repeat course work.

In addition, the report argues that, while reducing the number of required Core classes from eight to seven gives students one more elective, it does not increase the flexibility of the Core.

The students proposed that some departmental courses be allowed to count for Core credit, in addition to the existing Core classes.

"Only in the one or two areas in which they are most prepared and motivated will students take the departmental route," the report states.

Rahn said some Faculty showed their support for the students' report after the meeting.

"We were very pleased that many Faculty members' thoughts coincided with ours," he said.

Some Faculty members also expressed dismay that Core classes are large and students rarely interact with their professors.

Lawrence Buell, Marquand professor of English, proposed that the Core be restructured to offer small, interactive course options, similar to freshman seminars. His suggestion was supported by the Faculty.

Junior Faculty Report

The Faculty applauded in response to the announcement by Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles about the acceptance of three proposals made in the junior faculty report.

Under the new policies, assistant professors on one pay scale will receive a paid leave after being promoted to associate professor. The salaries of faculty on the other scale will be raised commensurately.

In addition, the rental subsidy for those in Harvard Real Estate housing will be replaced with an across-the-board housing allowance of $3,000 for all junior faculty.

Finally, the travel allowance for junior and senior faculty will be raised from $800 to $1,000, allowing roll-over from year-to-year