Cox's office is also located in Langdell Hall, behind several stacks of law books on the third floor. He claims that his office, adorned with paintings of clipper ships in Boston Harbor and Georgetown, is "the biggest, except for the dean's."

Peering out his huge window facing Holmes Field, Cox reflects, "I've been very fortunate that Harvard treats me well."

Mayr, located in a clean, spacious office tucked away on the fifth floor of the Musuem of Comparative Zoology, seems to feel the same way. "I'm most grateful to Harvard that they've given me a place to work," he says.

No Teaching, No Headaches

Most professors, with the exception of Cox, say that they do not miss teaching at all. They retired on their own accord to pursue other interests and make use of the free time that would otherwise have been spent on faculty duties.

Riesman, who taught sociology under the General Education system from 1958 to 1976, said that his job was "very arduous." "I wasn't sorry to drop that burden," he says.

The sociologist said that the energy he expended on logistical problems, such as meeting places, grades, and plagiarism, is now directed toward his own projects.

"I would miss it if I wasn't doing individualistic work," he says.

Other professors agreed with Riesman. "After my many years, I relish the freedom not to have to be in a particular room at a particular time," says Freund.

"Not having to give regular courses gave me extra free time," says Mayr.

But Cox decided to continue teaching. The winter before his retirement he worked out an arrangement with the Boston University Law School because "I love teaching." Cox currently teaches half time at the Law School and still retains his office at Harvard.

However Cox also enjoys the release from the logistical demands of full tenureship. "I am happily free from faculty meetings," he says.

Forced Retirement

Last fall Congress passed a new federal law that prohibits employers from enforcing a mandatory retirement age. The bill includes a seven-year exemption for centers of higher learning, due in part to heavy lobbying by Harvard officials. (See accompanying story)

While many professors feel that prohibiting mandatory retirement would allow healthy and sound individuals to continue teaching well into their 70s, they admit it would adversely affect higher learning in the long run.