President Neil L. Rudenstine said in an interview last week that he has narrowed his list of provost candidates to less than a dozen names.

Rudenstine said the search for a University-wide academic officer is moving ahead and that he hopes to make an appointment by the end of the month.

The president's short list is said to include Rotch Professor of Atmospheric Science Michael B. McElroy, Dillon Professor of International Affairs Joseph S. Nye Jr. and Professor of Government Dennis F. Thompson.

University insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Wells Professor of Political Economy Jerry R. Green, Pforzheimer University Professor Sidney Verba '53 and Mallinckrodt Professor of Chemistry George M. Whitesides '60 are also under consideration.

Dean of the Business School John H. McArthur and Dean of the Medical School Daniel C. Tosteson '44 are also said to be candidates for the position.

Stephen G. Breyer, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the first circuit, and Gaiser Professor of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology Christopher T. Walsh Jr. '65 are said to be on the short list as well.

In addition, Cabot Professor of Medical Biophysics Stanley J. Adelstein and Watts Professor of Health Care Policy Barbara J. McNeil are considered likely candidates for the post.

February Appointment

Rudenstine said he has been consulting frequently with the deans of the various faculties and that his desire to appoint a provost by the end of February is "still a reasonable hope."

Rudenstine added that names are regularly added to and taken off the list of candidates.

Faculty members who are reportedly under consideration declined to comment to The Crimson on the search process.

All those contacted by The Crimson said they had not yet been approached by Rudenstine about the job.

Asked if they were interested in the post, some candidates interviewed said they were interested in their research and teaching. But none said they would definitely turn down the job. As one candidate said, "Neil Rudenstine can be very persuasive."

The candidates range in age from Green, the youngest at age 45, to Tosteson, the oldest at age 67.

Thompson, who directs the University Program in Ethics and the Professions, is considered a strong candidate because of his experience with different parts of the University.