O' Brien Speaks

Thomas O'Brien, the University's financial vice-president, yesterday called on administrators to be more aware of the needs of staff employees.

Speaking before an audience of about 90 Harvard staff workers, O' Brien said. "The biggest risk we run is allowing people to do jobs where they are unchallenged and unmanaged."

O'Brien's address marked the close of a four-part series of speeches by senior administrators about staff related topics.

O'Brien stressed improving communication between administration and staff members and expanding the opportunities for career change and advancement within their areas of work.

After the speech, he fielded questions from the audience on several topics, including staff salaries and the effect of the declining number of college students on service departments.

The Harvard Managers' Exchange, an organization started in 1977 to enhance communication between Harvard administrators and staff, hosted the series of speeches, "Harvard and Radcliffe in the '80's."