Fineberg Assumes Provost Position

Champagne toasts in the Provost's Mass. Hall office were replaced by cardboard boxes on July first.

When Harvard's number two post transferred from Albert Carnesale to School of Public Health Dean Harvey V. Fineberg '67, the former Provost had already travelled three time zones away, as the University of Claifornia at Los Angeles prepared to install him as their eighth chancellor.

No flags were raised or lowered in front of the quiet headquarters of the nation's most powerful university. This was just a changing of the guard.

"The Chancellor took a plance out last week and we're pretty confident about it being a one-way ticket," said James H. Rowe, vice president of government, community and public affairs.

Fineberg, a long-time friend of Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine, is no stranger to the University, having worked or studied at Harvard continuously since coming to the College in 1963.

As the University's number two official, Fineberg will have authority over many of the administrative details of the Harvard central administration. Carnesale involved himself heavily in areas such as information technology and labor negotiations.

Fineberg is expected to continue many of these tasks. Rudenstine said in an interview last spring that Fineberg also shares Carnesale's gift for fundraising and his decades-long experience in the University will likely help him in this role.