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To the Editors of the CRIMSON:
I must take issue with your recent editorial, "Dust to Dust," proposing abolishment of the Student Council. This letter is a personal view and does not represent Council policy or members. Certainly some of the criticism is justified, on the basis of performance of individual Councils, but not on the basis of the Student Council as an institution.
The CRIMSON seems forgetful of the several practical accomplishments of the 1955 and 1956 Councils, some of which it editorially supported. In the report area the 1956 and 1957 Councils, both in writing new reports and publishing old ones, have performed services which have created student, faculty, and administration interest. I do not presume to defend mediocrity of different Councils at different times. Neither do I presume to defend the mistakes of this Council, whatever the reasons.
Tight student government is not, and has never been, the aim of the Student Council. It has maintained the loose form of non-powerful student organization unique to Harvard and its House system. Should the Student Council disband, the only voices for student opinion and student views at Harvard would be those of the CRIMSON and WHRB. As much as I respect several of my friends on the CRIMSON I do not think that an undemocratic, self-perpetuating, non-representative group of men would be able to speak authoritatively for the student body.
I am amazed that the CRIMSON appears to be completely unaware of the present Committee to Evaluate the Student Council, its function and organization. Its criticism will be heavy, but if the creative suggestions are implemented a more effective Council will result. Obviously, however, future loopholes will develop with changing situations as in any democratic body.... The suggestion that administration appointed students write the reports is in itself poorly made. Such a system would only take these reports far from the realm of student oriented opinion, as well as cast doubt upon the representative character of the report....
With hopes for future cooperation in a more creative spirit, I am Merom Brachman '58
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