CONVERTING AN ASSET

Sane, self-criticism, if properly utilized, forms one of the greatest assets a university can have. To be most effective, such criticism must come from within from men whose daily contact with working conditions in the university makes their suggestions valuable. At Harvard the full benefit from inside criticism is not realized, due in large measure to the difficulties in drawing it out. The University authorities have always shown themselves ready to welcome any suggestion, and the channels for criticism,--filing a petition at University Hall, submitting a communication to the CRIMSON, or taking a question directly to the source and receiving a hearing,--are always clear. But the process is often unsatisfactory. Some-times the student feels that his point is not of enough general interest to warrant a communication, or that it cannot be treated adequately in writing, which rules out a petition; or that it should not be brought directly before the authorities without previous student consideration.

At present the most satisfactory channel under such circumstances, the Student Council, is not directly open to the individual. One of the purposes of this body is "to bring before the governing bodies of the University expressions of undergraduate opinion . . .", but there is no exact means of doing so. By creating a subcommittee to receive student complaints and suggestions this means could be provided.

Anyone with some matter to discuss would write to the chairman of this committee (ex officle a member of the Executive Committee), requesting an appointment and would be instructed to appear before it at one of its meetings. All questions brought to its attention would be submitted to the Executive Committee for presentation to the authorities along with the proposals originating in the Student Council. With such an arrangement, a given problem would be presented to the Office only once; timorous students would have to disclose their identify only to the sub-committee which could judge as to their sincerity; and a desirable link between the student and the authorities would be established.