The Perspective article's author, Kaleil Isaza'94-'95, says he called Marius after the liberalmagazine received his letter in hopes of makingpeace.
"He was vicious on the phone. We have some ofwhat he said posted on the wall here," says Isaza."He said he would do what he could to make sure Inever got a job in journalism."
In spite of all this, an administration sourcesays that, at Harvard, Marius is untouchable. He'sa visible author, a solid teacher, and a reliablefundraiser for the University, administrators say.
"He, like many members of the Faculty, we askto speak to alumni," says John P. Reardon '60,executive director of the Harvard AlumniAssociation. "He's a very effective speaker, andvery interesting. I think he's very popular. I dothink that alumni do form a bond with Facultypeople they get to know."
And even if morale has not improved, Expos hasbeen quieter recently. Although transfer studentsstill occasionally feel his wrath, Marius has hadfewer confrontations with teachers because he'saround the office less. Sommers has effectivelyassumed day-to-day decision-making control.
There are many indications that Marius, age 60,is on his way out. During the course of atwo-and-a-half hour interview, Marius repeatedlysaid that he "won't be staying at Expos forever."
Friends say Marius is tired. He is still, theysay, a warm friend, a brilliant writer and atalented teacher. But he is also, theyacknowledge, a poor administrator who has causedmuch pain to those who work under him.
Eight current teachers say they believe it istime for Marius to step aside. Among formerteachers whose demise at Expos he hastened, hisdeparture would be considered just. Sources saySommers herself is working and waiting until shecan step in, revamp the program, and, hopefully,improve morale.
"The administration knows how terrible Richardis," says a former Expos teacher. "They know thateveryone loathes Richard, that he's extremelyineffective."
"The bottom line is the administration doesn'tcare about Expos and students enough to replaceRichard."