The University offered this week to extend the contract of Dunwalke Associate Professor of American History Alan Brinkley, making it possible for the popular junior professor to remain here despite his failure to earn tenure.

Brinkley said yesterday that he will take a sabbatical from teaching next year in order to finish a book on New Deal liberalism. Brinkley said he did not know if he would return for the 1988-'89 school year.

"My preference would be not to come back after the sabbatical I plan to take next year," Brinkley said. "Of course, my plans depend on what positions are available elsewhere, so I may well be back."

Letter to Dean

In a related development, graduate students today sent Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences A. Michael Spence a letter protesting his decision to halt Brinkley's tenure review, said Tom Underwood, a fourth-year history graduate student and an organizer of the campaign to send the letter.

Underwood said he was one of 56 graduate students who signed the letter. He said all are studying American history or in the History of American Civilization program.

"The gist of [the letter] was that Professor Brinkley should be reconsidered for tenure and that Dean Spence should convene the ad hoc committee," Underwood said.

Dean Spence last week told Brinkley he would not convene an ad hoc committee of experts from outside the University to consider his tenure bid, the associate professor said.

The dean's decision came after influential Harvard historians objected to a slim History Department vote to recommend tenure for Brinkley, senior professors said.

Underwood and others responsible for sending the graduate student letter refused to make its text public until after they had meet with the dean.

The dean "seems anxious to meet with us, but his schedule is packed next week," Underwood said.

Spence, who has not talked with The Crimson in more than two weeks, yesterday declined through a spokesman to discuss any aspects of the case or of the tenure process.

Despite the disagreement within the History Department, Brinkley said that he would not necessarily be reconsidered for tenure at the end of the two-year extension.

"In no sense is this a prelude to my staying permanently," Brinkley said of the offer to renew his apointment for twoyears.

History Department Chairman Angeliki Laioudeclined to discuss the contract extension.

Brinkley said Spence offered to extend hisappointment in a letter received several days ago.

The dean "mentioned the offer informally"during a meeting late last week, when he toldBrinkley that his tenure bid had not beensuccessful, the associate professor said