"Nothing ever gets done at M.I.T. without a committee," according to one faculty member. His evaluation was somewhat exaggerated, because administrative officers retain effective control over the Institute's operation.

But initial decision are often produced in committee. The 26-man Faculty Council, roughly comparable in function to Harvard's Corporation, rules on all matters of educational policy. Composed of an elected Chairman, the President and Vice-Presidents of the Institute, the Deans of M.I.T.'s five schools, and other key faculty members, the Council forms an effiective link between the individual professors and the administrative officers.

Other committees--some of which include students as regular members --assess the key functions of the Institute. Professors and instructors in each of M.I.T.'s five schools--Architecture and Planning Science, Humanities and Social Studies, Engineering, and Industrial Management--regularly consult to decide curriculum policy.

But the day-to-day decisions on the management of M.I.T.'s 71-million dollar endowment--the fifth largest private university endowment in the country--must be made by President Killian and Provost Julius A. Stratton.