CSA Says Senior Can't Run For Post

The Catholic Student Association (CSA) refused to allow Brian E. Malone '96 to run for election to its steering committee last Sunday, saying that his doing so would violate a 10-year-old policy which prohibits seniors from running.

But Malone said yesterday that he believes his candidacy was banned on ideological grounds.

"For many years, the CSA has made a point to exclude orthodox Catholics from the leadership positions," said Malone. "I believe the CSA prevented me for running due to ideological reasons."

Malone cites past instances where members of the committee did not complete their terms as well as a section of the CSA constitution which states "any member of the group may be nominated for election," as justification for his claim that he should be allowed to run.

But Jacqueline L. Landry, the CSA chaplain, said Malone was denied the opportunity to run because he would be unable to fulfill his leadership duties on the steering committee. Those duties include two retreats, one of which Malone would miss because he is graduating in June.

Landry said the decision was made only after Malone was given the chance to "voice his concern."

She said the CSA was simply following a policy that prohibits seniors from running when it voted last Thursday to prevent Malone's name and position statement from appearing on the steering committee ballot.

"As with any constitution, there is policy which goes with it," said Landry.

Landry added that the decision had nothing to do with Malone's ideologies. "There's a lot of diversity in the CSA, which boasts both orthodox and liberal viewpoints," she said.

Malone, however, said he believes he was denied the chance to run because of his conservative stand on Catholic issues.

"I think to a certain extent, in this case, a lot of people were upset with the things I said in the statement," said Malone, adding that he thinks the "unspoken policy" cited by Landry is in conflict with the CSA's constitution.

Assistant Dean of Students Sarah E. Flatley said that policies concerning election procedures for under-graduate organizations are left to the discretion of the student groups.

Malone has been part of the CSA for three and a half years.

"This year, I finally decided to run, to change the things orthodox Catholics at Harvard feel oppose church dictate," said Malone.

Malone said that when he began the nomination process he thought that he would be on the steering committee ballot.

"Chris Russo, [a member of the current CSA steering committee], assured me that there was nothing in the constitution that prohibited seniors from running," said Malone.

The steering committee of the CSA plans most of the student activities, masses and retreats.

Malone said that he is going to become "a thorn in [the CSA's] side," adding, "I am not going to go away."

Malone said he will do everything in his power to make sure the CSA discusses the changes he believes need to be made and to include "orthodox Catholics who have been left out of the CSA for years.

Malone has been part of the CSA for three and a half years.

"This year, I finally decided to run, to change the things orthodox Catholics at Harvard feel oppose church dictate," said Malone.

Malone said that when he began the nomination process he thought that he would be on the steering committee ballot.

"Chris Russo, [a member of the current CSA steering committee], assured me that there was nothing in the constitution that prohibited seniors from running," said Malone.

The steering committee of the CSA plans most of the student activities, masses and retreats.

Malone said that he is going to become "a thorn in [the CSA's] side," adding, "I am not going to go away."

Malone said he will do everything in his power to make sure the CSA discusses the changes he believes need to be made and to include "orthodox Catholics who have been left out of the CSA for years.