Reporter's Notebook

No president, no comment. When it was revealed earlier this week that at least three candidates from a short list of six for the Radcliffe presidency had taken themselves out of consideration for the post, an informal poll of at least 20 Radcliffe affiliates elicited only one response: no comment.

"I encouraged Judith Rodin to take the position because I thought Radcliffe would benefit from her leadership."

--Education School Dean Patricia A. Graham, commenting on the Yale professor's decision to turn down the Radcliffe presidency.

News travels quickly. When asked at about 2 p.m. Monday whether the new dean of the Kennedy School would be named soon, Kennedy School press officer Steve Singer said he hadn't heard anything. Less than two hours later he called back to say President Bok had just gone to a Kennedy School faculty meeting to announce Professor of Government Robert D. Putnam's appointment as dean.

"There's an old Italian proverb--`before speaking, listen.' And that's what I intend to do."

--New Kennedy School Dean Robert D. Putnam on his plan of action for the school.

During the final day of State House budget deliberations this week, reporters weary after eight long days of tedious debate decided to inject some levity into the proceedings. One reporter donned a Gov. Michael S. Dukakis mask and stood in the press gallery eying the legislature. As curious lawmakers began laughing, Rep. Robert MacNeil (D-Malden), yelled to the mock governor, "Jump!"

"We're like the French. We like the good life. I, like all of you, like the good life more than I like being efficient."

--Jerry Jazinowski, executive vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers, at an Institute of Politics forum on U.S. economic competitiveness.

Students may complain about the wait at University Health Services, but it seems as though professors have nothing to worry about. On a recent visit to the UHS walk-in clinic, a Crimson reporter who had been waiting for nearly an hour noticed Lamont University Professor Amartya Sen take a seat. Ten minutes went by, and the Oxford-imported scholar waited calmly next to the students. A harried doctor soon emerged, though, and with a "Right this way, Mr. Sen," whisked the professor away from the scene. The students continued waiting.

"All my decisions were based on stereotypes. To a certain extent, they're all true."

Kevan M. Bolar '92, on this week's freshman housing lottery.

What a difference a year makes. Quincy House is on the decline, according to a Crimson poll. Last year the house was picked first by 13.5 percent of the Class of '91. This year a paltry 2.5 percent of freshmen put the river house on the top of their housing forms.

Vacation Watch: Most administrators may be planning exotic Caribbean vacations for spring break, but not Dean of the Faculty A. Michael Spence. A former varsity hockey player for Princeton, Spence will travel to the NCAA Final Four hockey championships in St. Paul, Minnesota. If Harvard makes it, that is.

"I was one of the very first classes to use Lamont, and I spent a lot of long hours working and sleeping at Lamont."

--Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57, on the occasion of Lamont Library's 40th birthday.

Massachusetts legislators are known to get a bit punch-drunk during all-night budget sessions, but this week the humor started at 2 p.m., rather than 2 a.m. In the midst of the final day of deliberations on the $12.3 billion state budget Tuesday, freshman Rep. Paul C. Casey '83 (D-Winchester) introduced an amendment to prevent the closing of the popular Stone Zoo in his district.

In his maiden speech to the legislature, Casey asked his colleagues, "Don't baby gorillas and orangutans deserve a home, too?"

"We owe these animals reciprocal care," Casey said. "Zoos don't discriminate. They accept black and white, rich and poor, sick and healthy. If you do not pass this amendment, you will be putting a gun to the head of Reggie the Lion."

The amendment, which allows the zoo to raise $1 million by charging admission, passed unanimously.