Postponements and Business As Usual

The business of the University is proceeding in spite of President Pusey's absence, according to high Administration officials. Urgent decisions will be made by Acting President Charles A. Coolidge '17, while routine matters are being handled by subordinates.

Some major decisions will be suspended until Pusey returns, however. These would include a significant change in the curriculum system, a major change in the physical plant, or the abolition of a formerly standard policy.

Also, Pusey wants to sit in on all adhoc committees that appoint new Faculty members, and so none will meet until at least next month, according to Edward S. Mason, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

At least one Faculty member has commented, "Nothing's happening at the University, and it is because Pusey's away." Pusey had said last Spring that he planned this Fall to devote a Committee on Educational Policy meeting to the Advanced Placement--Sophomore Standing program and to investigate drama at Harvard in the year-old Loeb Center. Neither issue will be considered formally this fall, Mason said.

The special committee investigating University preparedness for nuclear attack will need long deliberations and would not present a final policy within the next month even if Pusey were in Cambridge, Mason said. Another University policy question, the merger of the Harvard and Radcliffe GSAS, was approved by Pusey before he left.

Pusey has maintained contact with his assistants by way of letters and confidential memoranda, and they in turn have kept the President informed of major happenings at the University. "However, no decisions are being made by long distance," commented an official. "No documents have been sent to the Orient for signature."

Acting President Coolidge holds limited office hours in Massachusetts Hall and meets periodically with Faculty members and Deans. According to an assistant, Coolidge is experienced in matters of urban development and has made University decisions this Fall in that area.

At least one thing is sure about the University Administration upon Pusey's return: Mason has said that he will definitely not be Dean of the Faculty after the Fall term.