Reviewing the GSAS

What appears to be Spence's most immediate priority, however, is his review of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Spence appointed Leverett Professor of Physics Karl Strauch to head a review committee. The last such review of the GSAS, completed in 1969, recommended a reduction in the size of the graduate school. No major changes have occurred in the GSAS since then, according to Assistant Dean of the College John R. Marquand.

"The Strauch Committee will analyze the needs of the GSAS over the next 10 to 15 years," said Marquand.

Faculty members, moreover, are quick to praise Spence's concern with the graduate program.

"For a few years, there were other distractions such as the Core and the Harvard Campaign. It's overdue, and the time is ripe," said History Department Chairman John Womack '59.

"From my point of view, and from the point of view of the Faculty, the [GSAS review] is the most reassuring thing he's done," Womack added.

Spence, moreover, stated that the emphasis on the GSAS would not mean diverting, attention away from he College.

"I just felt that when I came in, the College was in good shape. I didn't plan to ignore it. I just felt that the Faculty needed to look at the graduate school," he said.

Aage B. Sorensen, Sociology Department chairman, said that the review of the GSAS may in fact boost undergraduate education at Harvard since many of the College's teaching fellows are recruited from the graduate program.

The new dean is also looking into the problems that junior, or untenured, faculty members face at Harvard. Currently, only 15 percent of the junior faculty at Harvard receive tenure here.

Spence said that he has not only asked the Faculty to look into the question of whether there are adequate possibilities for promotion at Harvard, but whether or not junior faculty have the opportunities and support to get their work done.

"The dean is determined to find better ways to serve the career needs of the junior faculty," said Henrich. "One of the priorities of the dean is making sure that in ever, department, the junior faculty get individual attention as far as their career is concerned."

"He wants to make this a more attractive place for young people, and wants to make this the best place for people to grow professionally," said Sorensen.

According to Psychology and Social Relations Department Chairman Sheldon H. White '50 Spence requested each department chairman to submit an analysis of their junior faculty.

"He asked each department chair to tell how he could best use the resources of his office to attract the best junior faculty and to develop them when they are here," White added.