One Cheer

Although the new Student Council constitution falls far short of perfection, it eliminates some of the basic problems that plagued the old document. As a slight improvement it deserves support in today's referendum.

By replacing the archaic system of representation by class, the seven-man re-evaluation committee recognized the Houses as the significant units in the College today. If approved, the constitution they propose may transform an ineffectual Council, confused as to its constituency and schizophrenic about its purpose, into an organ with a functional role in the University community. The council which it creates will work on a smaller scale and will drop the pretense of being the official spokesman for all students. In its more modest position it will stop trying to censor other student activities and organizations.

Unfortunately, the constitution has not come to grips with the problem of the Council's relationship to national student groups; nor has it clarified the aims of Council reports, or facilitated action on issues too insignificant for lengthy reports and referendums.

But the new version is certainly an improvement over its predecessor. And an affirmative vote today will support the type of council more suited to the practical needs of the College.