College Warns PSLM Members

Last Friday Miranda S. Richmond ’02 received an e-mail from her senior tutor concerning a 15-minute “teach-in” in Mass. Hall held by the Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM) on Feb. 21.

The message warned Richmond that she could be suspended if she took part in similar actions in the future. PSLM members received only three weeks of disciplinary probation for last spring’s three-week occupation of Mass. Hall.

“I understand you were one of several members of the Harvard community observed on Thursday, February 21, 2002, protesting inside Massachusetts Hall,” read the message from Cabot Senior Tutor Robert Neugeboren. “Having already been placed on probation by the Administrative Board for occupying Massachusetts Hall last spring, you should be well aware that any further disruptive behavior of this kind will result in additional disciplinary action against you, including requirement to withdraw.”

But Richmond was not in Mass. Hall on Feb. 21.

“I was sick in bed with a terrible case of the flu,” Richmond said. “I could get a doctor’s note if they needed; it’s very clear that I wasn’t there.”

Instead, Richmond said she felt the letter had been sent to her because of her regular involvement in PSLM.

“I assume it was sent to me because I was in the sit-in,” Richmond continued. “Had I not been sick I might have been [at the teach-in], but that’s immaterial.”

Neugeboren declined to comment on the letter.

An identical letter was sent to other members of PSLM living in other Houses who participated in last spring’s occupation of Mass. Hall but not the teach-in.

“I received a letter from my senior tutor alleging that I was seen in Mass Hall during the Thursday teach-in,” Ari Z. Weisbard ’02 wrote in an e-mail. “Although I was in the sit-in in Mass Hall last spring, I have not been inside the building since.”

Benjamin L. McKean ’02, who was involved with the teach-in and received a letter, said he saw police officers taping the teach-in.

“But it seems like someone sent an order to send a letter to the usual suspects,” McKean said.

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis ’68—who handles College disciplinary matters—and numerous senior tutors declined to comment on the origin of the letter or to whom it was sent.

“I just sent it along,” said Kirkland House Senior Tutor Timothy C. Harte ’90. “I shouldn’t comment.”

The letter was sent the day after University President Lawrence H. Summers and the deans of the University’s 11 schools released an official interpretation on the long-standing “University-Wide Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.”

A statement issued by the president and deans accompanying the official interpretation recommended suspension for students who cause a disruption while occupying University buildings.

—Staff writer Joseph P. Flood can be reached at flood@fas.harvard.edu.