Finally, the purpose and the status of the IOP must be clarified. The IOP is unlike other groups on campus in that it is not funded by Harvard College or the Undergraduate Council, but rather by the Kennedy Library Corporation. The members of that Corporation therefore have ultimate control over what goes on at the IOP. That students in the past have had a substantial amount of control in programming does not mean they were ever entitled to that control or that it necessarily should be extended or maintained.

In addition, the Institute has a full professional staff, with decision-making power and the ability to create and run programs, and a senior advisory board composed of Senators, House members, business leaders, journalists and other public servants. Both groups wield considerable power at the IOP, and very few other student organizations have such entities. The IOP is distinct in that its members must work with and answer to the staff and senior advisory board.

Sen. Pryor is now giving all interested students the chance to work with the board and the staff to steer the direction of the IOP. Yesterday morning at the IOP Senator Pryor called a meeting open to all Harvard undergraduates. At that meeting, students presented a more detailed version of their ideal IOP. Sen. Pryor openly welcomed their suggestions and encouraged them and all other interested students to continue to build ideas about the future of the IOP. The meeting was a great success, and I have no doubt the Institute will flourish under the system Pryor has started and students will help form.

Rebecca C. Hardiman '01 is a government concentrator in Kirkland House. She is a member of the Institute of Politics' Student Advisory Committee.