New Referee for the Paper Chase

President Bok ended months of speculation this week when he announced his selection of James Vorenberg '48, associate dean of the Law School, to succeed Albert M. Sacks, the current dean.

Vorenberg, a native of Cambridge and a friend of Bok's, has been considered a leading candidate for the post since last fall, when Bok began his search for a successor to Sacks, who will step down in July.

An expert in criminal law and a professor well liked by his students, Vorenberg should administer the Law School efficiently and smoothly, colleagues and students said this week.

But some students said they were dissatisfied with the choice--not because of Vorenberg himself, but because of the procedure Bok used to select the new dean.

Ever since last September. Law students have tried to gain a formal role in the dean selection process. They demanded the formation of a student committee to interview candidates and a role in the final screening of candidates.

But Bok--who is responsible for choosing new Law deans--refused to yield to student pressures and continually repeated his request that students write him letters to express their views.

When 17 Law faculty members last fall signed a memo suggesting the Law faculty change the dean-selection process for future searches, the faculty decided to take the issue up after the current search was over.

Vorenberg said at a press conference this week that he was not certain how the selection procedures should be changed, but added that the faculty intends to discuss the issue soon.

Bok said yesterday he would oppose the establishment of a search committee to draw up names of dean candidates, but he added that the faculty is free to discuss ways to help it "think collectively about the needs of the school."

Some students complained that they remain unfamiliar with Vorenberg's views because the selection process is shrowded in secrecy. Vorenberg explained why he refrained from discussing his views publicly during the search, saying any comment on the prospect of his selection would have made it appear that he was running on a platform for the position.

Vorenberg said he intends to meet with student groups soon, adding that he "continues to be a supporter of student participation" in Law School affairs.

But despite hopes of student groups that they will be able to establish a good working relationship with Vorenberg, some student leaders said they regard him as a supporter of the Law School status quo who is insensitive to student concerns.

Vorenberg said this week that students should not participate in faculty hiring--one area in which students have said they want more input--because they are at the school for too short a time.