Word: sfac
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...SFAC was doomed at birth. Like many other student groups (HUC, for example), its precise role in the policy-making apparatus of the University was unclear. Most members did not know until after the Faculty had voted down the Dow resolution that the SFAC would have to channel its proposals through the Faculty before they would reach the Administration and be enacted. Two months later, the SFAC's status remains unclear: Can a television proposal go straight to the Council of Deans? Does a resolution asking SFAC members to take polls of their constituents require Faculty approval? No one really...
...SECOND problem is that the SFAC has an over-blown view of its own power. Members feel they must use their power cautiously to avoid offense or provocation. They feel a ponderous pseudo-responsibility to perform solemnly and circumspectly. In fact, they have very little power, as the Faculty has shown them...
They need not be so concerned about constantly trying to please the Faculty and Administration by wording their proposals just right. If any group at Harvard can afford to be honest, it is the SFAC...
Faculty members have exhibited far less interest in the SFAC than students. Their attendance has fallen off sharply. Even one of the more active members of the Council asked for an adjournment immediately after the start of the last meeting because only half of the members had appeared by 3:15 p.m. Faculty participation on committees has also been limited...
...substantive changes might help the SFAC accomplish more: the Council must have a permanent chairman to give it some sort of continuos direction; SFAC should be more willing to accept at least the wording of committee resolutions and not waste valuable time over petty points; meetings should be once a week, and those members who cannot attend should resign rather than hold up the others; provisions should be made to continue the Council next year...