Riesman, who retired in 1980, believes that if forced retirement were abolished, universities would be unable to attract the younger generation into a career of academia.

"It will cloud the future for young people," says Riesman. The education expert published "On Higher Education" in 1980 and continues to study issues of leadership and succession at the nation's colleges and universities.

"It's harmful to universites to clog the ranks," says Riesman. He retired by his own choice because "I should make way for someone, provided I have the facilities to work."

Mayr, who retired 13 years ago, also feels a mandatory retirement age is appropriate. "One shouldn't retire people too late," he says. "It's unfair to the younger generation."

But other professors disagree, believing that faculty members should not be forced to retire when they reach the mandatory age.

"I always felt that retirement should be a matter of individual negotiation between the Administration and the professor," says Galbraith.

However Riesman says that problems would arise if the mandatory age was uncapped. "People will be more cautious in granting tenure, because instead of working 20 to 30 years, professors will be teaching 40 to 50 years," he says.

Riesman predicted that "all of academia is likely to suffer" if the mandatory age were abolished. He says that while Harvard may suffer less, small liberal arts colleges will face a tougher time because they tend to have more tenured faculty.

Cox claims that a demographic problem will also affect higher education if professors are not forced to retire. Institutions that expanded their faculty to accommodate the numerous students of the baby boom will have fewer opportunities for younger academic talent, he says.