Deans Warn Against Larger Council; See 12-15 Members as 'Ideal' Size

Dean Watson and Dean von Stade told the Student Council committee on reorganization last night that a Council of more than 12-15 members would be "unwieldly and probably ineffective."

In a closed session with the seven-member committee, Watson traced the emergence of the political nature of the present Council from the rewriting of its constitution in 1947-48, noting that "the more political it is, the less effective it becomes." In recent years, he said, the Council has not really overstepped its bounds, "but some members would have liked to."

Council is Anachronism

The Dean of Students sees the ideal Council as a closely knit group representing the Houses. "The present Council," according to Watson, "is an anachronism dating from before the time of the House Committees."

Both men emphasized the recent usefulness of the Council in some of its activities, praising especially the work of the temporary subcommittees. Von Stade added that the primary function of the Council is to act as intermediary between students and decision-makers in the administration.

Other topics that came before last night's meeting ranged from the Council's right to pass on the merits of new undergraduate organizations, to the question of Radcliffe representation at meetings. Watson recalled that "the only time the Council refused to approve...was when the biology club wanted to take in Radcliffe members."