Rubbing Elbows

Each year Harvard lures hundreds of freshmen to its lair, using as bait the promise of a chance to study in small groups with Nobel prize-winners, authors of great books and other academic luminaries.

Unfortunately, as confused freshmen quickly discover, acceptance to Harvard does not automatically mean one will soon be calling Dr. Robert Coles "Bob," and turning down invitations to Sunday brunch with Pierce Professor of Psychology Emeritus B.F. Skinner.

Perhaps with the goal of remedying this situation, the Faculty is now beginning to draw up reforms of the tutorial program in some departments to involve Harvard professors more directly in the education of undergraduates.

Glen W. Bowersock '57, associate dean for undergraduate education, who has outlined the reforms thus far, feels the burgeoning size of many tutorials taught by graduate students is weakening the present tutorial system.

The reforms are fashioned after a Government Department policy implemented this year that allows juniors to enroll for one semester in a faculty-taught seminar, instead of the usual junior tutorial.

In addition, the reforms would create the position of instructor--a post-doctoral position with emphasis on teaching--and perhaps require professors to visit regularly the sections of their courses to talk to students.

Bowersock is well aware that some Faculty members may fight the tutorial changes.

Most of the opposition will probably come from departments that fear attempts to include more professors in tutorials will limit the scope of their tutorial offerings. Also, professors who have no penchant for teaching undergraduates may criticize the reforms.

Bowersock's proposals are primarily aimed at the larger social science departments such as Government and History. Many tutors and professors in these departments agree that some type of reform is needed.