"One of the Fogg's problems is that it's a part of a larger university and has to compete for funds says Oldenberg. Rotner agrees, asserting. "With the new director should be an experienced administrator or there should be a high level administrator."

But Messer says it would be a mistake to duplicate the Met's plan permanently at the Fogg. "It is wrong to put the business person on top--you their subordinate, at least on paper, art to fund raising."

Messer also notes that the Fogg's curatorial system "adds a dimension of complication." Since many Fogg curators are also tenured faculty members. "It's more difficult to assert directorial authority," he says.

While Fabing says that in her experience the curators' independence never posed a problem, both she and Messer view the Fogg's curatorial system as a potentially undesirable feature of the director's job. At the Yale Art Gallery, Fabing notes, the fine arts faculty is separate from the curatorial staff.

Museum officials underscore the importance of finding a permanent director to replace the acting directors as quickly as possible. "It's a difficult position to be in," believes Oldenberg, who served as acting director of the Museum of Modern Art for six months before assuming the position permanently. "Projects have a long gestation period, and it becomes more and more difficult if you're not sure you'll be there to realize them Temporary arrangements raise problems."

John Howat '59, chairman of the Met's departments of American painting, shares Oldenberg's concern. "If you extend things too long, you loss the steam."

Rosenfield, who has excluded himself from consideration for the post, admits he has had to avoid planning far into the future as director. "Any museum has to work on long term plans, but what we're doing here has to be flexible."

Rotner agrees, "We try to leave major decision, open As official things come up, we decide two or three because they can't wait and we'll leave two or three for the new administration."