Students Do Not Choose Deans

In its editorial, "The Great Search For College Dean," The Crimson staff wrote that it is a "fundamental right" of Harvard students to help govern the College they attend. Perhaps student imput on the matter would have been nice, but by no means it is a "fundamental right." Let's not forget that Harvard is a private institution--and that it is a privilege to go here and not a right. If you don't like the choice that has been made, well, you do have the fundamental right to leave. Moreover, it is by no means clear that student input would have been of much value anyway. The average student here has no idea what qualifications are necessary for acting as Dean, much less who might have these qualifications. I'm just happy the administration didn't ask the U.C. to run a referendum on the issue. Meredith FitzGerald, '95