The Standing Committee of Athletics voted Thursday to promote both women's softball and men's water polo club terms to Level Two varsity status, Christopher Morris, assistant to the director of athletics, said last night.

Level Two varsity sports, which also include the Harvard golf, skiing, and women's ice hockey teams, receive limited financial and administrative support from the athletic department.

The promotions, intended to encourage development of the sports programs without specifying a fixed amount of financial support from the athletic department, will result in financial grants based on what the department considers "legitimate needs," Morris said. "There is flexibility in the budget," he added.

Elizabeth A. Ippolito '81, co-captain of the women's softball team, said yesterday, "although the team is now eligible for reasonable practice hours at University and athletic facilities the initial gains will be primarily in status.