Word: sams
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...told Sam they were recommending that he be put on disciplinary probation (which leaves a permanent mark on one's record) and submitted this recommendation to the Ad Board. Two days before Sam left for Christmas the University sentenced him with probation. And sent him, a local hero from upstate New York, home in disgrace after his first semester at Harvard--for something he didn't really...
...Dean of Freshmen told me that they did believe his intentions were good. "We all know Sam's a nice guy," he said. "But his intent doesn't matter. We judged him according to his action." When I asked exactly what Sam was guilty of he replied that he was rude and disruptive...
...unclear. They said they did what they felt was right. But it bothers me very much that an office full of people whose job it is to look after freshmen and understand them--should react as they did in this case. They acknowledged that they knew a lot about Sam. They knew that Sam's father died in an auto accident a year ago, and that Sam was extremely upset by this. They knew he couldn't tell his mother about his troubles because it would break her heart. They knew that he was a deeply religious and very moral...
...Sam may have had other problems I don't know about. He probably did. But it was up to the FDO to find out about these, and to think about the consequences of their disciplinary action. I'm not saying that what Sam did in the Union was right. It wasn't. What I am saying is that Sam was one heck of a wonderful guy and in no way deserved the punishment that the FDO showered upon him. No one, guilty or not, deserved this kind of treatment the week before Christmas...
...Sam can never be replaced, and a part of him shall always be out with me, reminding me of the fragility of life, and the need to look out for others. I hope the FDO has learned something from this, that Sam's life may not have gone to waste. The next time someone gets into trouble at Harvard, perhaps some administrator will take the time to get to know that person a little better, and think hard about his or her motives before passing judgement...