Although Maher, Henderson professor of the psychology of personality, sits on the dean's council this year in his capacity within GSAS, he held an associate deanship last year as a representative from the social sciences.

And according to Maher, it is this connection between departmental activity and University Hall administration that is the key to Spence's ability to maintain political consensus and faculty support for his proposals.

Reflecting his most recent Faculty priorities, Spence has created two new positions in his cabinet, adding specific "portfolios" for internationalization and affirmative action.

These posts are currently held by Berkman Professor of Economics Andreu Mas-Colell and Professor of Government Joseph S. Nye, who are the associate deans for affirmative action and international affairs, respectively. Nye, a well-known expert on international security, has been pegged as an obvious candidate to succeed Spence.

The other four professors who sit on the Committee of Deans are James J. McCarthy, professor of biological oceanography; Helen H. Vendler, Kenan professor of English and American literature and language; George M. Whitesides '60, Mallinckrodt professor of chemistry; David Pilbeam, professor of anthropology and associate dean for undergraduate education.

Looking back on the Spence years, Rosovsky says he sees the growth of the advisory board as "one part in the bureaucratization of a large entity" such as FAS, whose budget has grown more than ten-fold in the last 10 years.

But while professors acknowledge that the increase in academic deans over the last six years has made the planning process longer and decisions more complex, most say the end results are well worth the wait.

"From the outside it may seem that things go more slowly," Maher says, but adds that the careful consideration and attention to detail provided to Spence by the advisory board "is worth the time."

And Professor of Government Roderick MacFarquar, who has helped to develop Spence's faculty governance structure, says the committee method pays off in the end.

"Having thorough input, Mike Spence can then go to the Faculty with a reasonable prospect of getting that through--in that sense, not having the committee is a slower method," he says.