University officials are negotiating a contract for a projected Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film entitled "Murder at Harvard" based on the Medical School's Department of Legal Medicine.

Announcement of final acceptance or rejection of the MGM terms is expected by the end of next week, it was disclosed last night. Until a definite decision is reached, no further information about the movie will be released by the University.

The basis of Metro's interest in the Legal Medicine branch of the Medical School stems, from its function of assisting the state police in the investigation of sudden deaths, including murders. The department teaches legal medicine to both Medical and Law students.

If an agreement is reached for the use of "Harvard" in the title and throughout the script, the movie will deal "factually" with the activities of the department, Dr. Alan R. Moritz, Francis Glessner Lee Professor of Legal Medicine, said last night, although advance rumors suggest that Hollywood may treat it as a "crime clinic."

The University has not revealed what technical or legal matters are under discussion with MGM, whether or not University personnel will appear in the film, or any details about the script.