VP for Outreach To Remain Another Year

Four months after announcing his resignation, Alan J. Stone, Harvard’s vice president for government, community, and public affairs, has agreed to remain at his post until the end of the next academic year.

Stone told The Crimson that the change of heart came after meeting with President-elect Drew G. Faust. He added that he hoped to help ensure a “smoother transition” when she takes office July 1.

Stone is the second Mass. Hall official to announce plans to stay on board at Faust’s request. University Provost Steven E. Hyman, who was appointed by Summers in 2001, said last month that he would continue to serve under Faust.

The week after Hyman’s announcement, however, Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development Donella M. Rapier said she will step down this summer and suggested that Faust had asked her to resign.

Stone acknowledged that the working relationships with University and local officials built up in his five years and a half here are “of course going to be helpful” for the transition.

Former president Lawrence H. Summers appointed Stone in 2001, and Stone helped him handle the press crisis after Summers’ controversial remarks on women in science.

But on Nov. 8, 2006, while the University continued its search for a new president, Stone announced that he would step down in June.

“A transition is a good time to leave if you’ve been here a while in part because you give the new person a chance to pick their team,” Stone said yesterday, adding that at the time it seemed like a “logical” step.

After meetings and discussions with Faust since her appointment, Stone agreed to remain at the job for another year.

“It was a very plausible decision at the time, but on reconsideration I was delighted to stay,” Stone said. “You make decisions based on your latest information.”

Stone will continue to handle Harvard’s relations with the press, the government, and the community in Cambridge and in Boston.

He said that he would also help Faust become acquainted with Mass. Hall and senior officials, pointing out that she has “an enormous knowledge on a range of issues already.”

Stone has played an important role as a liaison with community leaders during the University’s expansion into Allston and construction in Cambridge.

Ray Mellone, chairman of the Harvard-Allston Task Force, said that he would be an asset to the transition.

“He’s sensitive to community issues,” he said.

“Having him on hand...makes a big difference,” he added.

Both Faust and Stone said they were looking forward to working together over the coming year.

“I’m excited about the chance to work with Drew Faust on the important works that lay ahead,” Stone said.

“Alan has served the University with remarkable distinction, and I am pleased that Harvard will continue to have the benefit of his wisdom, sound judgment, and broad experience at this moment of transition,” Faust wrote in a statement.

—Staff writer Claire M. Guehenno can be reached at guehenno@fas.harvard.edu.