Alumnus Doubts Kennedy Should Keep Post Here

An alumnus has questioned whether President Kennedy can "properly" serve as a member of the Board of Overseers during his tenure as President.

T. N. Stensland '28, in a letter to the Alumni Bulletin, points out that a number of problems arise because the government through its various agencies makes numerous awards to the College. The basic problem--deciding which institutions should receive Federal aid--presents the "possibility of conflict of interest" for someone in Kennedy's position.

And if such conflict did arise at a Board meeting, Stensland questions, would Kennedy disqualify himself from the deliberation of such subject matter? In addition, there is the possibility that other Board members may be unduly influenced by the opinion of the "member-President."

Besides policy questions, Stensland believes that other factors must be considered. He questions whether the inevitable publicity connected with Kennedy's appearance in Cambridge is desirable, and if under much conditions "cool, unperturbed deliberations" are possible.

Stensland believes that the problem is an important one because the Board's "judgment in the resolution of a question of basic policy can have a profound effect upon the character of the entire Harvard establishment."