For the second year in the row, a small group of seniors hopes to convince their classmates that a socially responsible life is worth living in the often status-conscious world of big business.

Their tool of persuasion: a written pledge that urges graduating seniors to consider the repercussions of their job decisions.

The pact, part of a national effort led by an Indiana college professor, reads: "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."

Sinead B. Walsh '00 has agreed to lead the effort at Harvard, joining MIT, Brandeis and Tufts in the Boston area.

Members of the Class of 1999 also held a similar pledge drive--approximately 17 percent of seniors signed on.

This year, Walsh will require that students attend one of three social action panels in order to sign the pledge.

"We don't think that...signing that little piece of paper is sustainable," Walsh said. "Come to a panel, and we'll tell you how you can really make a difference."

Walsh and five or six classmates are planning three panels, tentatively scheduled for April 10, May 10 and June 1.