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Rosenthal Takes Over a Troubled Press

He Foresees a Resurgence of Harvard's Operation, Despite Problems

"I had extensive talks with the committee. We talked quite openly about my strengths and weaknesses," Rosenthal said.

How well Rosenthal and Hall will work together is still a matter of speculation. Rosenthal says that he is "bursting" with new ideas for the Press, which he will start instituting after he assumes command October 1. But when Hall became a member of the Board of Directors, he devised a management plan for the administration of the Press which in cluded a program that would balance the budget within five years. Wherever or not Rosenthal will be free to develop his own plan is yet to be decided.

Hall's plan brought the Press into a general arrangement consisting of the ten service organizations of the University. But Hall maintains that he has no desire to dictate the editorial policy of the Press. "We will continue to publish outstanding scholarly works, regardless of possible loss." Hall has stated repeatedly. But Hall has indicated that he hopes the Press will publish more reference books that will provide a steady market yield.

Rosenthal, however, says that while such books are good for the Press financially, they are not the Press's primary concern. "They may make money, but I don't consider them a penetrating statement of scholarly value," he said.

As administrative vice-president, Hall will keep a heavy hand on the Press, placing emphasis on the budget, and he will insist that it be attained. "For the past two years the policy has been to report a budget that states the Press will break even, even if it didn't. Well we don't want any surprises for the Corporation this year," he said.

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In keeping with this philosophy, Hall projects a $139,000 deficit for 1972-73. The exact savings over last year is difficult to estimate because of a large accounts receivable foul-up which the Press will eliminate, by tacking the loss onto the 1971-72 deficit But despite the confusing rature of the figures, it appears that Hall will have reduced the deficit by $250,000 in two years.

Hall attributes this savings to the TIC switch and a highly successful book sale last April in Memorial Hall. "In fact, we're planning another sale for this year. Hall said.

One expense--severance pay for former director Carroll--no longer requires payment by the Press. Bok promised Carroll six months pay when he was dismissed with the condition that he would receive six months' more if he could not find another job last week. Hall announced that Carroll had been hired by the circulation department of the National Park Service and the Press would cease payment of the severance pay on November 1.

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