Officials Deal With Disarray At Mass. Hall

Harvard officials scrambled yesterday to project an image of stability in their central administration amid reports of disarray that could hurt the $2 billion fundraiser University officials plan to kick off next month.

In the day's most colorful statement, Acting Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Jane H. Corlette explained that it is relatively unimportant that three of the top seven administrative positions at Harvard are currently unfilled.

In making her point, Corlette compared the current situation in Massachusetts Hall to the constant turmoil and turnover in leadership during French history. She said there was no need to worry about changes at the top because Harvard has strong middle level bureaucrats running the University from below.

"I don't think of it as a void," she said when asked about the three openings, "because there's such a huge staff underneath."

Still, France never had to worry about organizing the largest capital campaign in the history of higher education, which Harvard will officially kick off on May 13.

Whether the campaign is successful in reaching its $2 billion goal could help determine the quality of education that Harvard students receive for decades to come.

Two of the three posts currently up for grabs had been held by officials--outgoing Vice President for Finance Robert H. Scott and Provost Jerry R. Green--who were expected to be key figures in the campaign.

There are already signs that Green's sudden departure, which was announced this week without any official explanation, could hurt the fundraising effort.

As late as last week, he had been scheduled to make fundraising trips around the country during the spring and summer months.

It is unclear how many of those trips Green Will actually make. But his assistant, Katherine D. Warden, said yesterday that the provost will go to Texas on Monday for a fundraising trip.

Members of the Harvard Club of Dallas, where Green will visit, offered conflicting opinions yesterday on the lame duck provost's travel plans.

Virginia S. McAlester '65, a member of the board of Dallas' Harvard club, said she does not see Green's pending departure from the central administration as a detriment to the trip.

"We're delighted," McAlester said. "No one has said anything he's lame duck or not."

"Our club definitely respects him andappreciated his work and the years he's given tothe University," she added.

But another member of the Dallas clubcriticized the administration's decision to sendGreen to Texas.

"I think it's a problem," Peter P. Smith '78said. "I don't think he should make the trip."

Smith said few Harvard officials visit theDallas club, and he feels those who do should havereal power at the University. He said Green'spresence could be detrimental to Harvard'sfundraising efforts.

"We don't have many Harvard guys come down. Thebig dogs only come down for the big occasions," hesaid. "If the representative they send is leaving.I don't think that leaves a very good taste in ourmouths."

Smith said club members have received littleinformation about Green's departure, a fact hefinds disturbing.

"I heard he was leaving, but we haven't heardwhy," Smith said. "I think there's concern aboutwhy he's leaving, and if and why he's still makingthe trip."

President Gives Interview

Contacted in Washington D.C. yesterday,Rudenstine said he hopes to have a replacement bythe end of the semester.

"My aim would be by the end of the term and, ifpossible, sooner, but better correctly thanprecipitously," the president said in a telephoneinterview, his first since Green's departure wasannounced.

Early speculation on a successor to Green hasfocused on Dean of the Kennedy School ofGovernment Albert Carnesale.

Carnesale is a close adviser to Rudenstine and,unlike Green, an experienced administrator.

In addition, Whitehead Professor of GovernmentDennis F. Thompson and Watts Professor of HealthCare Barbara J. McNeil, who both made the shortlist for the job two years ago, could becandidates.

Rudenstine said he has a list of candidates,but no decisions have been made.

"It's open, I promise you," he said. "Peoplehave called me with suggestions."

Rudenstine said administrative experience willbe a requirement for the new provost.

"Some of the names submitted to me are senioradministrators who are not deans. I would not ruleout a non-dean," the president said. "It probablywould have to be at least a departmental chair orassociate dean. Someone without experience withadministration would be a very long shot."

Soon to Be Filled

In a bid for calm yesterday, officialsemphasized that they expect the three openpositions--provost, vice president for finance andvice president for government, community andpublic affairs--to be filled within the next fewmonths.

While Green will reportedly remain in his postfor the rest of the academic year, Scott hasalready begun work on his new job as a financialadministrator for Partners Healthcare, Inc.--thenew company formed by the merger of the Brigham &Women's Hospital with Massachusetts GeneralHospital.

Scott's secretary indicated yesterday thatwhile the vice president still nominally holds hisHarvard job, he is essentially a part-timeUniversity employee.

"He's at his new job," the secretary saidThursday in response to a request to talk withScott. "He only comes in for meetings and things."

Scott announced in September that he would stepdown at the end of this academic year, but thesearch for his successor has dragged on formonths.

Corlette acknowledged Scott's unofficialdeparture in a phone interview from WashingtonD.C. yesterday.

She said an acting vice president for finance,but not a permanent replacement for Scott, will benamed by next Friday.

"There is basically going to be an acting vicepresident," Corlette said.

Candidates for the job of acting vice presidentare thought to include Director of Internal AuditMichael J. Barone, University Treasurer D. RonaldDaniel and Elizabeth C. Huidekoper, director ofthe office of budgets and sponsored research.

E. Lyndon Tefft, director of financial systems,might normally be considered for the job, but heis leaving the administration this spring.

"Lyndon is leaving the University to go to the[Harvard] Management Company at the end of April,"Judith B. Warren, the director of finance andaccounting, said yesterday. That company isresponsible for managing Harvard's endowment.

Corlette said a private firm hired by Harvardis still searching for a permanent vice presidentfor finance. That search is in its eighth month.

In addition, the search for a new vicepresident for government, community and publicaffairs has lasted more than a year.

Former Vice President John H. Shattuck steppeddown early last year to join the Clintonadministration.

Corlette, who is temporarily filling Shattuck'spost, has said for months that she expects anappointment to be made in the "near future."

Yesterday, she offered to wager that a new vicepresident will be named within a month.

"I would be willing to bet you five bucks thatthis job will be filled in a month," she said."and you can quote me on that."

Week in Review

The University suddenly announced late Tuesdayafternoon that Green, after less than two years asprovost, will be leaving the centraladministration at the end of the academic year.The move shocked several officials, includingdeans and members of the Board of Overseers.

Green will assume the new John Leverettprofessorship, a position designed to encourageinter-Faculty teaching and cooperation. He willalso resume teaching as Wells Professor ofPolitical Economy.

The University has said in several officialstatements this week that Green views the newposition as an excellent opportunity to continuehis work on interdisciplinary teaching andresearch. But Harvard has consistently refused toexplain why Green is leaving as provost.

Green and President Neil L. Rudenstine failedto return repeated phone calls to their homes andoffices this week. The provost also wouldn'tanswer the door on Tuesday night at his home inLincoln, Mass.

Green called a Crimson reporter at homeWednesday morning promising an interview and aletter, but he never delivered on his promise.Approached as he left his Massachusetts Halloffice late Wednesday afternoon, the provostrefused to comment.

In a letter to The Crimson published Wednesday,Rudenstine praised Green's accomplishments asprovost. He did not explain why Green would beleaving the job, and Corlette said at the timethat the letter would be the University's laststatement on the matter.

Questions about the reasons behind Green'sdeparture remained unanswered yesterday. Over thelast week, University observers have offered anumber of possible explanations for the departure,which was not termed a resignation in Harvard'spress release.

According to one version of events offered toThe Crimson this week, Green, a career academicconsidered by some observers to be a "poor fit"for an administrative job, approached Rudenstineabout leaving in early 1994.

But on Thursday the Boston Globe citinganonymous sources, offered its own version ofevents. The Globe called Green's departure a"resignation" prompted by the provost'sexasperation "with futile efforts to unify theschools and colleges, bring together competingdeans and tame the bureaucracy." The paper did notprovide details of any specific problems insidethe central administration.

The Globe said Green resigned because he "felthe did not have Rudenstine's earnest backing andsupport."

But Corlette moved to discount that reportThursday.

"I am unaware of any disputes, really,"Corlette said. She said Rudenstine's letter to TheCrimson, which praised the provost, should be seenas indication of the president's support.

Some observers have said that Green may havehad trouble fitting into an ill-defined position.Rudenstine recreated the job of provost, vacantfor four decades, when he became president in1991.

Green's job consisted largely of working tounify Harvard's schools. A centralized Universityis one of the president's primary goals for thefuture.

And that is not a job that can be accomplishedin the 21 months Green has spent in office.

"That's tough job," said Linda C. Koonz,executive assistant to the University ofPennsylvania's provost. "It's very hard to bringunity so quickly with schools that are adecentralized as Harvard's."Crimson File Photo

"Our club definitely respects him andappreciated his work and the years he's given tothe University," she added.

But another member of the Dallas clubcriticized the administration's decision to sendGreen to Texas.

"I think it's a problem," Peter P. Smith '78said. "I don't think he should make the trip."

Smith said few Harvard officials visit theDallas club, and he feels those who do should havereal power at the University. He said Green'spresence could be detrimental to Harvard'sfundraising efforts.

"We don't have many Harvard guys come down. Thebig dogs only come down for the big occasions," hesaid. "If the representative they send is leaving.I don't think that leaves a very good taste in ourmouths."

Smith said club members have received littleinformation about Green's departure, a fact hefinds disturbing.

"I heard he was leaving, but we haven't heardwhy," Smith said. "I think there's concern aboutwhy he's leaving, and if and why he's still makingthe trip."

President Gives Interview

Contacted in Washington D.C. yesterday,Rudenstine said he hopes to have a replacement bythe end of the semester.

"My aim would be by the end of the term and, ifpossible, sooner, but better correctly thanprecipitously," the president said in a telephoneinterview, his first since Green's departure wasannounced.

Early speculation on a successor to Green hasfocused on Dean of the Kennedy School ofGovernment Albert Carnesale.

Carnesale is a close adviser to Rudenstine and,unlike Green, an experienced administrator.

In addition, Whitehead Professor of GovernmentDennis F. Thompson and Watts Professor of HealthCare Barbara J. McNeil, who both made the shortlist for the job two years ago, could becandidates.

Rudenstine said he has a list of candidates,but no decisions have been made.

"It's open, I promise you," he said. "Peoplehave called me with suggestions."

Rudenstine said administrative experience willbe a requirement for the new provost.

"Some of the names submitted to me are senioradministrators who are not deans. I would not ruleout a non-dean," the president said. "It probablywould have to be at least a departmental chair orassociate dean. Someone without experience withadministration would be a very long shot."

Soon to Be Filled

In a bid for calm yesterday, officialsemphasized that they expect the three openpositions--provost, vice president for finance andvice president for government, community andpublic affairs--to be filled within the next fewmonths.

While Green will reportedly remain in his postfor the rest of the academic year, Scott hasalready begun work on his new job as a financialadministrator for Partners Healthcare, Inc.--thenew company formed by the merger of the Brigham &Women's Hospital with Massachusetts GeneralHospital.

Scott's secretary indicated yesterday thatwhile the vice president still nominally holds hisHarvard job, he is essentially a part-timeUniversity employee.

"He's at his new job," the secretary saidThursday in response to a request to talk withScott. "He only comes in for meetings and things."

Scott announced in September that he would stepdown at the end of this academic year, but thesearch for his successor has dragged on formonths.

Corlette acknowledged Scott's unofficialdeparture in a phone interview from WashingtonD.C. yesterday.

She said an acting vice president for finance,but not a permanent replacement for Scott, will benamed by next Friday.

"There is basically going to be an acting vicepresident," Corlette said.

Candidates for the job of acting vice presidentare thought to include Director of Internal AuditMichael J. Barone, University Treasurer D. RonaldDaniel and Elizabeth C. Huidekoper, director ofthe office of budgets and sponsored research.

E. Lyndon Tefft, director of financial systems,might normally be considered for the job, but heis leaving the administration this spring.

"Lyndon is leaving the University to go to the[Harvard] Management Company at the end of April,"Judith B. Warren, the director of finance andaccounting, said yesterday. That company isresponsible for managing Harvard's endowment.

Corlette said a private firm hired by Harvardis still searching for a permanent vice presidentfor finance. That search is in its eighth month.

In addition, the search for a new vicepresident for government, community and publicaffairs has lasted more than a year.

Former Vice President John H. Shattuck steppeddown early last year to join the Clintonadministration.

Corlette, who is temporarily filling Shattuck'spost, has said for months that she expects anappointment to be made in the "near future."

Yesterday, she offered to wager that a new vicepresident will be named within a month.

"I would be willing to bet you five bucks thatthis job will be filled in a month," she said."and you can quote me on that."

Week in Review

The University suddenly announced late Tuesdayafternoon that Green, after less than two years asprovost, will be leaving the centraladministration at the end of the academic year.The move shocked several officials, includingdeans and members of the Board of Overseers.

Green will assume the new John Leverettprofessorship, a position designed to encourageinter-Faculty teaching and cooperation. He willalso resume teaching as Wells Professor ofPolitical Economy.

The University has said in several officialstatements this week that Green views the newposition as an excellent opportunity to continuehis work on interdisciplinary teaching andresearch. But Harvard has consistently refused toexplain why Green is leaving as provost.

Green and President Neil L. Rudenstine failedto return repeated phone calls to their homes andoffices this week. The provost also wouldn'tanswer the door on Tuesday night at his home inLincoln, Mass.

Green called a Crimson reporter at homeWednesday morning promising an interview and aletter, but he never delivered on his promise.Approached as he left his Massachusetts Halloffice late Wednesday afternoon, the provostrefused to comment.

In a letter to The Crimson published Wednesday,Rudenstine praised Green's accomplishments asprovost. He did not explain why Green would beleaving the job, and Corlette said at the timethat the letter would be the University's laststatement on the matter.

Questions about the reasons behind Green'sdeparture remained unanswered yesterday. Over thelast week, University observers have offered anumber of possible explanations for the departure,which was not termed a resignation in Harvard'spress release.

According to one version of events offered toThe Crimson this week, Green, a career academicconsidered by some observers to be a "poor fit"for an administrative job, approached Rudenstineabout leaving in early 1994.

But on Thursday the Boston Globe citinganonymous sources, offered its own version ofevents. The Globe called Green's departure a"resignation" prompted by the provost'sexasperation "with futile efforts to unify theschools and colleges, bring together competingdeans and tame the bureaucracy." The paper did notprovide details of any specific problems insidethe central administration.

The Globe said Green resigned because he "felthe did not have Rudenstine's earnest backing andsupport."

But Corlette moved to discount that reportThursday.

"I am unaware of any disputes, really,"Corlette said. She said Rudenstine's letter to TheCrimson, which praised the provost, should be seenas indication of the president's support.

Some observers have said that Green may havehad trouble fitting into an ill-defined position.Rudenstine recreated the job of provost, vacantfor four decades, when he became president in1991.

Green's job consisted largely of working tounify Harvard's schools. A centralized Universityis one of the president's primary goals for thefuture.

And that is not a job that can be accomplishedin the 21 months Green has spent in office.

"That's tough job," said Linda C. Koonz,executive assistant to the University ofPennsylvania's provost. "It's very hard to bringunity so quickly with schools that are adecentralized as Harvard's."Crimson File Photo