Low Enrollment Prompts English Program Review

Amid growing concern over decreased enrollment, administrators in the Department of English and American Literature and Language are beginning their first major review of the department in ten years.

Head Tutor Elizabeth W. McKinsey said yesterday that the review, which will include meetings with professors and tutors and with undergraduate concentrators, is aimed at "making [the department] more attractive."

Since 1973, the number of concentrators has dropped 36 percent, from 504 to 321 in 1981.

Department Chairman Larry D. Benson said yesterday that although he hopes the concentration will not be made any easier because of the review. "There is a general feeling that it should be made less complicated."

McKinsey and Benson have scheduled preliminary meetings for next week with faculty and students with the aim of improving both the honors and basic English programs.

"These meetings will set the process in motion," McKinsey said, adding that any substantial changes would probably not take place until the '83-'84 academic year.

The department has also solicited written statements from undergraduate concentrators discussing their suggestions for improving the department.

Several students interviewed yesterday cited as a problem what they see as a wide disparity between stringent requirements for honors concentrators and mild requirements for non-honors concentrators.

Patricia D. Lyeth '85 said that she sees some of the department's requirements as unappealing and redundant, but added that she overlooks the problems because of her interest in the field.

Students also pointed out what they see as a lack of interaction between faculty and students. Although this is a fairly common complait from Harvard undergraduates in other departments, several students said the problem is particularly bad in the English Department.

"There is a vast distance between professors and senior tutors, and undergraduates," said John S. Gersten '83, who transferred into the department last year. "Compared to other Ivy League schools, there seems to be less concern for, and interaction with, students. A wall springs up between the legendary giants and the students."

Although Gersten said he may enjoy the opportunity to appraise the department, he remains skeptical about what real changes will take place.

And Benson noted that the review will not amount to an open invitation for students to change the department. "We want to hear what [the students] think, but this doesn't mean we'll do what they think," he said