HSA Expansion

The Harvard Student Agencies is expanding again. And in so doing, it brings up once more the old charge that it is trying to bring under its control previously independent individuals who neither wish nor need its services. In the case of its latest creation--an entertainment agency--the charges are open to some question. Supporters of the HSA say that by engaging in advertising and promotional activities, the new agency will create more employment opportunities for student entertainers.

The Casual Employment Office, however, refers jobs to student entertainers without charging the fee demanded by the new agency, and, although it does not advertise, many of the student entertainers who use its services report more offers of work than they can handle. What these students fear, of course, is that they will no longer be able to use the free services of the Casual Employment Office. Dustin M. Burke '52, Director of Student Employment, claims that these fears are unjustified; but, unless the agency's advertising succeeds in increasing the demand for student entertainers, the jobs it provides would otherwise have gone to those using the University Employment Office.

Burke admits that the Employment Office will also refer jobs to the HSA agency. Thus, if enough such jobs are referred to the agency, all students desiring employment will be forced to use it and pay its fee. In fact, this result may well be inevitable, since Employment Director Burke is also the general manager of the HSA.

The HSA was organized to provide coordination, office space, and guidance for those student businesses needing such aids. It is difficult to imagine a student linen agency, or even a beer mug and banner agency, without central direction and constant contact with suppliers. But the case for HSA control of student entertainers is less convincing. If the HSA is to maintain the confidence of the undergraduate community--which it needs in order to perform its main and vital function--it must not act as if it would like to see all student employment centralized through its office. An organization which exists to serve students should not indulge in expansion only for the sake of expansion, lest success in empire building be confused with success in providing opportunities for student employment.