"This is the number one issue in the campaign--and it could lead to human extinction. Hart is electable--he can beat Reagan, whereas I don't think Mondale can." Muller says.

Muller stresses that his position is important. "I think it is a very legitimate role of an academic faculty to use medical and scientific expertise when they see a problem to bring the debate into the public spotlight," Muller says, adding, "And I'm concerned that President Reagan's policies are likely to lead us into a nuclear war. That's why I entered the political arena."

"The issue is more important than the candidate," agrees Lester Grinspoon, associate professor of psychiatry. "Three or four of us met with Hart when he was in Boston and chatted with him about the nuclear issue, along with Carl Sagan and others."

The physicians' involvement, says Grinspoon, has been limited due to Hart campaign office problems. "We had hoped to do some work with Hart," Grinspoon says, "but the campaign was very disorganized. We had also hoped to send a letter to 200 people in support of Hart, but no one there was able to take responsibility for giving us permission to send it," he claims.

Grinspoon switched his affiliation from earlier support for former Sen. George S. McGovern. "I thought that Hart was the most effective and could win," says Grinspoon, who began his writings on, the nuclear issue with a 1961 article in The New Republic. "I think that Mondale could beat Reagan," he adds, "but if Reagan is re-elected I think many more people will be deeply concerned about the possibility of nuclear war."

"I'm interested in a candidate who can offer us some sanity," Grinspoon says, "and that is my interest in Gary Hart. People who are more politically active are going to be galvanized by their anxiety connected with this issue."

But many caution against over-involvement. K. School Dean Graham T. Allison Jr. '62 said earlier this year. "It's important that [campaign advisors] are not perceived as representatives of the school." Allison reminds Harvard staff each year that there are strict guidelines in this area, including a rule that professors who take a leave of absence must return within two years or lose their tenure.

As for himself, Allison explains, "I bend over backwards to be non-partisan, even when it makes me feel personally constrained."

Faculty are careful to point out that the nature of their academic work necessarily limits their outside political involvement. "There's a problem about being too active with one's political commitments in a university," claims Nye.

Nye also cites the fact that a professor must offer his ideas to the larger academic community. He said that, in addition to advising Mondale, he has also talked to people in the Reagan Administration on substantive issues. "One has to maintain a certain openness with one's ideas," he says, adding. "The Reagan people are aware that I am doing work for Mondale. But I offer my ideas openly."

Medoff feels that a professor's responsibility to his students should also limit his political activities. "Given that the faculty is in the business of teaching students, one had to ask if students are gaining or losing by outside political involvement," he says. On the negative side. Medoff says that if in a 20-hour work week a faculty member spends 19 of those hours or doing research or outside work, then that's too much.

But Medoff adds that he thinks students often benefit from a bit of outside participation. "I think outside involvements have enhanced my ability to teach and be more informed." Medoff explains, adding that he often changes his lectures because of knowledge he gains from participating in campaigns. "It's a balance, though and it's hard to define the right amount. Some involvement can be beneficial; too much can be harmful." Medoff declares.

"My hallmark is that I'm an empiricist, and as such I need to leave my office from time to time to talk with labor leaders," Medoff says, adding. "Someone who's a theorist may gain less."

D. Joseph Menn assisted in the reporting of this article.