Renovate Hemenway, Put Students First

To the editors:

I was extremely disappointed to read that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences is seriously considering Hemenway Gymnasium as a potential site of a relocated Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and Harvard-Radcliffe Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (News, Feb. 20), a possibility that I also found buried in last fall's reaccreditation report.

One of the most common complaints of Harvard students, and particularly those in GSAS, is the current state and availability of athletic facilities. To suggest decreasing the number of facilities in light of an already overtaxed situation is incomprehensible.

Hemenway could clearly use an overhaul, but it needs a new life as an up-to-date and well-equipped athletic center, not as administrative offices.

It is the ultimate irony that the Office of Admissions, which attracts prospective students to Harvard, would openly ignore the concerns of its current ones. The most important thing that should be done to attract and retain high quality students is to demonstrate continuing concern for and sensitivity towards those already here.

Perhaps the most vocal concern of current students, FAS must work to improve the quality of its athletic facilities and not make a bad situation even worse. The Faculty must look elsewhere if it chooses to relocate from Radcliffe Yard ADAM P. FAGEN   Feb. 25, 1998

The writer is president of the Graduate Student Council.