Harvard University's presidential search committee may be the only organization in the world with tighter controls on information than the U.S. military command in the Persian Gulf.

As the search for a successor to President Derek C. Bok enters its final stages, the eight-member committee continues to keep a nearly airtight lid on information about the status of the search.

Despite the news blackout, sources told The Crimson this week that the committee had arrived at a short list of candidates with three highly-regarded individuals at the top of the list.

In addition to Andrus Professor of Genetics Philip Leder '56, who has been widely mentioned as a top candidate, sources close to the process said that Baker Professor of Economics Martin S. Feldstein '61 and Neil L. Rudenstine, executive vice-president of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, are also leading contenders. [See profile of Feldstein on page one.]

On Monday, The Crimson exclusively reported that Rudenstine, who is a former provost of Princeton University, dined with the eight-member committee on Sunday evening in a secret meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

After the meeting, Rudenstine was rushed out a back door into an awaiting car. As the car sped away, the passenger in the back seat shielded his face from reporters and photographers.

A meeting this late in February raises several questions about the current status of the search and when the final decision will be announced.

The big announcement was originally scheduled for January or early February, but University spokesperson Peter Costa is now saying that an announcement will not come until late February or early March.

But some observers suggest that a decision might be announced in the imminent future, especially since Bok finally returns from a trip abroad next week. Several insiders have said that an announcement probably will not be made in Bok's absence.

On the other hand, one source close to the process said last week that the final announcement could come as late as April, when the Board of Overseers meets again.

Although the alumni-elected governing board must confirm the committee's final choice, it is possible that the candidate could be approved over the phone, or even in a special meeting.

Members of the search committee reportedly briefed the Board of Overseers on the status of the search at its bi-monthly meeting on Sunday.

The mixed signals may mean nothing or they may indicate division in the search committee itself, or among the governing boards.

If the committee is deadlocked and cannot agree on a single candidate, the members may decide to take another look at other names on the list.

The remaining candidates, sources said, may include Stephen G. Breyer, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, University of Chicago Provost Gerhard Casper, Leroy E. Hood, a leading biology at the California Institute of Technology, Houghton Professor of Chemistry Jeremy R. Knowles and Rotch Professor of Atmospheric Science Michael B. McElroy.