And Professor of Government Roger Porter, a Reagan White House appointee, may be asked back to Washington in the advent of a GOP triumph. This semester, Porter is teaching a popular course on the presidency that may presage his return to the capital.

Yet the list of prospective presidential advisers extends beyond the realm of the Kennedy School. First, there are the expected names: for Dukakis, Professor of Law Susan Estrich, his campaign manager, and Professor of Law Christopher Edley, his issues director, can be expected to garner Washington titles if their candidate wins.

And for Bush, Associate Professor of Economics Lawrence B. Lindsey, one of the vice president's top economic advisers, said this week that he might consider a move to the capital. Lindsey, who counsels Bush on a variety of taxation issues, is the head section leader for Social Analysis 10, "Principles of Economics," which is one of the College's largest courses. And professors said this week that contingency plans are already in the making to replace Lindsey should Bush tap him for a Washington position.

But as Baker Professor of Economics Martin S. Feldstein '61, another top Bush adviser, cautions, a high-profile campaign role does not mean that a scholar will necessarily be offered--or accept--a government post.

Feldstein, despite a mention by Bush in last Sunday's presidential debate, said this week that he is "not expecting to leave, no matter what the outcome" of the presidential election.

The professor, who served as the head of President Reagan's Council of Economic Advisers, refused to elaborate on his decision not to seek a job in Washington should Bush win. But he has already taken on spring semester obligations, including advising at least one senior thesis, which make it unlikely he will depart for D.C. at least in the short run.

And another Economics scholar, Ropes Professor of Political Economy Lawrence H. Summers, one of Dukakis' chief economics advisers, echoed Feldstein's comments, saying he too was planning to stay in Cambridge. Summers said he has accepted four or five senior theses as part of his spring semester commitments on campus.

But even as the speculation continues, many influential campaign officials echo Bok's attitude toward a possible position in a new presidential administration: "The thought never crossed my mind."