Word: constitutionalizing
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Not everyone agreed, of course. Many students objected to the constitution's so-called "minority clause," which guaranteed seats in the assembly to several campus minority groups. Some groups, such as the Gay Students' Association, protested their exclusion from the minority clause, while others--such as the Harvard Republican Club...
The major problem with the proposed Constitution is that it provides for no such leverage. At best, the student assembly would function as a student adviser to the Harvard administration, but it is hardly clear that the convention's brainchild would even do that efficiently.
The Constitution's lack of effectiveness is obvious on two levels. First, as far as University-wide policy is concerned, the proposed Student Assembly would be a very loosely-organized forum and any consensus it reaches would have about as much effect on Harvard as that of a debating society...
The six months of student activism that went into the Constitution is already being dissipated by the conflict over its minority representation clause, which many people have all "inherently antidemocratic." But that is not the real issue here. That clause should not be the determining factor in anyone's vote...
The crucial issue is the Constitution's split between structure and function. The Constitution's structure only facilitates debate. The function needed from a College-wide organization is that of applying pressure on Harvard to take action students want. That function is lacking in the proposed Constitution. We do not...