Good Faith

THE UNIVERSITY ACTED wisely last week when it agreed to the demands of its married student tenants to renew leases and scrap plans for massive dormitory renovations.

By acceding to the tenants' wishes, the University lived up to its 50-year-old obligation to provide inexpensive housing for married students. At the same time, by agreeing to proceed with repairs only with the consent of the tenants, Harvard justly recognized the rights of tenants to help determine housing policy.

Negotiations between the Real Estate Department and the tenants seemed hopelessly stalled as late as last week. But with the aid of honest negotiating by Donald C. Moulton, assistant vice president for community affairs, the tenants and the University were able to reach a fair accord.

In all future negotiations, the University should make every effort to maintain a low-rent policy so as not to discourage poor married students from coming to Harvard.