Two junior faculty members recommended last year for tenure in the Economics Department, said yesterday they are awaiting final approval of their appointments.

Richard B. Freeman, associate professor of Economics, and A. Michael Spence, Taussig Research Professor of Economics, were recommended for tenure last year by the Economics Department, James S. Duesenberry, chairman of the Economics Department, said yesterday.

A committee chaired by President Bok consisting of academicians from outside the Harvard community will consider the recommendations in April, Duesenberry said. The final tenure decision will be Bok's he added.

Bok said last night, "based on past experience, the chances would seem good that the department's recommendation will be approved."

But still, "a small but significant number" of recommendations are turned down, Bok said.

Freeman teaches Economics 1650. "Labor Economics," and has written books on the problems college graduates and blacks have finding jobs.

Spence teaches a graduate course in microeconomic theory and is doing research in industrial organization.