Jewett said that he hopes that the new system will eliminate anxiety so that students can focus on more important activities, such as choosing their concentrations.

Student Reaction

Many students expressed skepticism yesterday about whether or not the randomization process will improve diversity.

"I personally feel that randomization is not a genuine approach to diversifying or attaining diversity," said Kristen M. Clarke '97, former president of the Black Students Association (BSA) and a vocal opponent of randomization in the past.

Many students said the plan would disrupt houses' community feeling, which they say often exists because of common interests, ethnic origins or race.

"For some students, because of their race, culture or even religion, they choose to be in a house where they would not be one of only ten to twenty in a house of 300 or more," said Joshua D. Bloodworth '96, former treasurerof the BSA. "Under the new system, it leaves thepossibility that minority groups will not have thesame numbers of solidarity and comfortability vianumbers that the majority group continues toenjoy."

Bloodworth predicted that as a result of theplan, more students will seek to transfer betweenhouses or choose to live off campus.

E. Michelle Drake '96, president of the CivilLiberties Union at Harvard (CLUH) said that theUniversity has no right to interfere in thehousing choices of students.

"I don't think it's the University's job toremedy [self-segregation]. People should be ableto unify around race or whatever issue they want,"Drake said, adding that she was speaking forherself and not as president of CLUH.

Current BSA president Krystal C. O'Bryant '98said that she has no qualms with the decisionpersonally, but is also skeptical about itseffectiveness.

"People will still tend to make their ownchoices socially," O'Bryant said. "Even if you dohave mixed houses, people will still find theirgroups and associations regardless."

"I think it's natural for people to form groupsamongst people they're most comfortable around,"she added.

O'Bryant also decried the focus on ethnicgroups in the randomization debate.

"It's not just ethnic groups [that groupthemselves together]. If you had all the footballplayers wear red shirts, you'd be able to see thesame thing," O'Bryant said.

Most students interviewed said they understandthe motivation behind Jewett's decision.

"I think everyone will be happier when everyhouse reflects the balance of Harvard," saidRandall A. Fine '96, chair of the student affairscommittee of the undergraduate council.